⏱ 2 min read
Matthew Fooladian, a 25-year-old Air Force member from Panama City, Florida, has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography offenses. In September 2025, the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations seized Fooladian’s cell phone, which contained explicit material. An investigation involving the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations found that Fooladian had exchanged child pornography with numerous individuals via social media applications.
The guilty plea comes as a result of a thorough examination of the evidence, which revealed the horrific nature of the crimes. U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin stated that these offenses are particularly heinous because they re-victimize the innocent children depicted in the abuse material every time it is viewed or shared online.
Fooladian faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count of distribution and receipt of child pornography, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography. His sentencing is scheduled for September 17, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Joseph A. Ravelo.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes