FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested three men for possession of child sexual abuse material and other related crimes. These arrests are the result of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children. 

“Since I took office 18 months ago, we’ve teamed up with federal, state, and local law enforcement to arrest over 2,000 child predators. That is 2,000 fewer threats to our kids in Florida,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “If you prey on children in this state, we will find you and put you behind bars.”

“Florida is safer with the men and women at FDLE doing their very best to protect our communities from individuals who exploit and harm our children,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Our agents and analysts will continue to work with our criminal justice partners and Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution to accomplish the mission of keeping our streets free of these criminals.”

“Some of these vile crimes are committed by people we trust with our kids. That is unacceptable. FDLE will continue to investigate these crimes and work with the Office of Statewide Prosecution to hold these individuals accountable, but it is a group effort that starts with secure internet habits,” said FDLE Fort Myers Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson. “Secure internet habits start at home. While families are getting ready for the school year to begin, I strongly encourage parents to have the important conversations with your children about safe online use.”

Graham Freeman, 56, of Cape Coral, is charged with 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and one count of bestiality. Freeman is a teacher in the Lee County school district.  Freeman’s investigation began on July 16 when FDLE agents used a software program used by investigators to facilitate the locating of CSAM on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Investigators discovered one IP address downloading more than 40 files of suspected CSAM. A direct connection was made with a computer using the IP address assigned to Freeman’s residence. On Aug. 6, FDLE agents and analysts conducted a search warrant at Freeman’s residence in Cape Coral. They seized numerous devices and located hundreds of files of CSAM and bestiality. Agents arrested Freeman and transported him to the Lee County Jail.

Jordan Hall, 34, of Sarasota, is charged with 10 counts of possession of CSAM and one count of sexual activities involving animals. Between January and May, during separate online investigations on a file-sharing network targeted at identifying users sharing files of CSAM online, FDLE agents located one user that downloaded more than 120 files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Investigators identified Hall as the owner and user of the device. On July 30, FDLE agents and analysts conducted a search warrant at Hall’s residence in Sarasota and seized multiple electronic devices for further forensic analysis. On Aug. 12, FDLE agents arrested Hall and transported him to Sarasota County Jail.

Matthew Peter, 41, of Zephyrhills, is charged with one count, each, of solicitation of a minor for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer or device, transmission of harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Peter’s investigation began on July 9 when FDLE agents participated in an undercover chat operation targeting criminal activity involving the solicitation of minors for sexual conduct. During the operation, an agent established a chat conversation with Peter. During their conversations, Peter sent explicit material to and requested explicit images from the agent, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.  On Aug. 12, Peter was arrested and transported to the Pasco County Jail.

The FDLE Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Cape Coral Police Department and the Zephyrhills Police Department assisted with the operations.

The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is prosecuting each case.

The investigation remains active.

Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://www.secureflorida.org/SF/Family-Safety/BPParents.

For Further Information Contact

FDLE Office of Public Information