Ex-Cop Gets 37 Months for Child Porn

Wasilla, AK – Matthew William Schwier, 39, a disgraced former police officer, is headed to federal prison for 37 months after pleading guilty to possessing sickening child pornography. The feds say Schwier knowingly hoarded over 100 depraved still images and multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children in his home. This isn’t just a crime; it’s a betrayal of the public trust by someone sworn to protect the vulnerable.

The evidence presented to the court suggests Schwier, despite failing to complete probationary periods with several police departments – Phoenix, Roswell, and Elk Point – leveraged his technical skills and purported law enforcement training to conceal his depravity. Sources inside the investigation indicate he actively sought to hide the files, implying a deliberate and calculated effort to avoid detection. He’ll serve his time and then face seven years of supervised release, plus a $15,000 restitution order to his victims, if they can be identified.

The FBI’s investigation began in 2016 when Schwier distributed illicit material to an undercover officer online. By 2017, when agents executed a search warrant, Schwier was employed as Justice Director for the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council – a position that now appears deeply compromised. The digital evidence recovered wasn’t limited to a few files; it spanned multiple computers and featured images of children ranging in age, subjected to horrific abuse. This wasn’t a momentary lapse; it was a sustained, predatory habit.

Federal prosecutors, including Adam Alexander, Charisse Arce, Kelly Cavanaugh, Kyle Reardon, Christopher Schroeder, and Jonas Walker, spent six years building the case against Schwier, navigating delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The length of the investigation underscores the meticulous work required to gather and analyze digital evidence in these cases, and the sheer volume of disturbing material investigators had to review. It also highlights the challenges of bringing these cases to a resolution in a timely manner.

Schwier’s history of failed attempts to become a police officer raises serious questions about vetting processes within law enforcement agencies. He couldn’t hack it as a probationary officer in multiple jurisdictions, yet somehow managed to secure a position with the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, a role that provided him with access to resources and potentially shielded his activities. This case demands a review of how background checks are conducted, and what red flags are ignored.

Beyond the prison sentence, Schwier will be required to register as a sex offender and will face severe restrictions on his internet access. While this conviction offers a measure of accountability, it doesn’t erase the harm he inflicted. The feds are hoping this case sends a clear message: anyone involved in the exploitation of children will be relentlessly pursued and prosecuted, regardless of their former position or perceived authority. This is a stain on the law enforcement community, and a tragedy for the victims depicted in those images.”