Joshua Denault appears in Brown County court, October 7, 2024. (Brown County court/Zoom)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former tennis coach Joshua Denault was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for taking “upskirting” videos of minors he was tutoring.
Denault, 41, previously pleaded no contest to four counts of child sexual exploitation-filming and two counts of child enticement. Another 12 counts, including five of capturing an intimate representation, were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Denault was also placed on extended supervision for 20 years by Judge Thomas Walsh. Additionally, Denault must register as a sex offender.
Two juvenile victims commented before the sentence was issued, but the court instructed the media not to record their comments. One told the court she was disgusted by Denault’s actions and now she doesn’t trust coaches in the same way she had.
Two parents of victims also commented. The judge allowed the media to use the audio but not identify them visually.
One mother described the day-to-day impact the case has had on her family, and her concerns for the future.
“We can’t possibly predict how this will impact our daughter as she gets older. It’s terrifying and unsettling to know that this will always be a part of her; that her internal compass could always be one of uncertainty and mistrust. The defendant has taken her innocent, carefree mentality and replaced it with the worst of human emotion,” the mother said.
Before the sentence was issued, Denault apologized for “breaking the trust” the victims and family had in him. Denault said he has been receiving counseling to deal with his sexual addiction issues.
“Instead of seeking help, I told myself a lie: it wasn’t hurting anyone because nobody knew. I now see the ripple effect that my poor decisions have had on these families, my former co-workers, and my own family. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Denault said. “I am truly, truly sorry for my actions and the pain that I have caused to everyone. I hope this sentence brings them healing.”
Denault was a tennis coach at Western Racquet & Fitness Club in Ashwaubenon and Four Seasons Tennis Club in Allouez, which are owned by the same company.
According to the original criminal complaint, a 10-year-old girl came forward in early May. She said that during lessons, Denault asked her to get into a wide stance, then placed his cellphone directly underneath her and recorded a video.
Sheriff’s officials searched Denault’s phone and found videos of the victim and other girls.
“Joshua did state that he would record a child on the court for training purposes,” the complaint says. However, prosecutors say the videos mainly showed intimate body areas. The girls were all clothed.
“Denault appeared to be ‘instructing’ the juvenile females, however based on the camera angle and video, you can barely see the girls’ arms, tennis racquet and form,” the complaint says.
According to the second criminal complaint, police found 36 “recently deleted” videos on Denault’s phone, leading them to more victims and charges.
One of the victims described her reaction to the evidence, saying “Seeing this video, it makes me feel gross, pissed off and it is very disturbing. Coach Denault always gave me the creeps, so I tried to stay away from him,” the complaint states.
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