Sulphur, Louisiana — Detectives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU), working in partnership with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Taskforce, have arrested a Sulphur man on multiple charges involving child pornography. The arrest follows an investigation initiated after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provided two critical tips regarding suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving juveniles.
According to authorities, the investigation began on April 9, when SVU detectives received the tips from NCMEC, a national organization dedicated to preventing child exploitation and locating missing children. The tips indicated the possible possession and distribution of illegal material involving minors.
Further investigation led detectives to Matthew T. Simien, 31, of Sulphur, Louisiana. Detectives discovered evidence that Simien was in possession of CSAM, which is a legal term for images or videos that depict the sexual abuse of minors. The possession, distribution, or creation of such material is a serious felony under both state and federal law.
On April 17, detectives obtained a warrant for Simien’s arrest. However, initial attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. Authorities continued their search over the next several weeks, which ultimately led to Simien’s apprehension at his residence on May 5. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.
Simien faces 34 counts of pornography involving juveniles, reflecting the number of individual pieces of illegal material found in his possession. His bond was set by Judge Michael Canaday at $1.7 million.
Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander Vincent of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office SVU is the lead investigator on the case. The ICAC Taskforce, which operates under the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General, collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies to identify and prosecute individuals involved in online child exploitation.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.