A 49-year-old Jacksonville man, Matthew Eric Baumgardner, has been arrested and charged by indictment for using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials. This is not Baumgardner’s first run-in with the law, as he is a registered child sex offender with a previous conviction in 2017 for possessing photographs depicting the sexual performance by a child, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
According to United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, Baumgardner was arrested on July 28, 2025, and has been ordered detained pending trial. If convicted, Baumgardner faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. The investigation was conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown prosecuting the case.
The indictment against Baumgardner is a result of the ongoing efforts of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative has led to the prosecution of numerous individuals who have sexually exploited children, and has helped to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims.
Project Safe Childhood is a crucial component in the fight against child sexual exploitation, as it marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who engage in this heinous activity. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and has been successful in bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting child victims.
In this case, Baumgardner’s alleged actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the well-being and safety of children. By using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials, Baumgardner has contributed to the demand for these horrific materials, which are often created through the exploitation and abuse of real children. The prosecution of Baumgardner and others like him is essential in the fight against child sexual exploitation, and serves as a warning to those who would engage in this activity that they will be held accountable.
The case against Baumgardner is a sobering reminder of the dangers that exist online, and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from those who would seek to harm them. As the investigation and prosecution of Baumgardner continue, it is clear that law enforcement and the justice system are committed to holding perpetrators accountable and keeping children safe. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. However, the evidence against Baumgardner is likely to be substantial, given his prior conviction and the nature of the charges against him. As the case moves forward, it will be important to follow the developments and see how the justice system holds Baumgardner accountable for his alleged actions.
RELATED: Child Sex Offender Baumgardner Indicted for Online Child Abuse Material
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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