Casper man claims mental illness to charges of possessing child porn

CASPER (WNE) — A Casper man who authorities say admitted to possessing “over a hundred” images of child porn pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to six charges of sexual exploitation of children.

Joshua Curry, born 1981, claimed to be gathering the pictures and videos found in his possession as evidence to turn over to police, according to an affidavit filed in circuit court.

Curry entered the plea before Judge Joshua Eames in Natrona County District Court on Friday morning.

Curry told investigators he committed the usernames of other offenders to memory so he could report them. When pressed, he told interviewers “he had a learning disability and memory issues and could not recall the names.”

Special Agent Drew Cotton, who signed the affidavit, said Curry estimated there were “over a hundred” images of child sexual abuse material on his phone. He added Curry claimed to be unaware that possession of such material was illegal. 

All 14 tips cited in the affidavit were submitted between October 2023 and January 2024.

If convicted, the six charges carry a maximum collective penalty of 60 years in prison and a $60,000 fine. In the coming weeks, Curry will be assessed by a third party — likely the state hospital — to determine his competency and whether there’s a basis for his plea.

This story was published on June 7, 2025.