Courtesy to WEAR News
GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- A recent Gulf Breeze High School graduate is facing multiple charges after authorities say he admitted to possessing several photos and videos of young children being sexually abused.
18-year-old Matthew McChesney was first arrested on July 3 in Washington state's Clallam County on a warrant out of Santa Rosa County. He was then booked into Escambia County Jail on July 14 before being released the same day on $115,000 bond.
McChesney is charged with 20 counts of child pornography and three counts of trading child pornography.
According to the arrest report, McChesney -- who graduated from Gulf Breeze High School in late May -- was being investigated for months leading up to the arrest.
In March, authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an online user trading child sex material.
On April 1, the arrest report states the account was traced back to McChesney's home. Then on May 8, deputies questioned McChesney inside Gulf Breeze High School. That same day, investigators executed a search warrant at his home.
Nearly two months later on June 27, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's forensics unit discovered 21 videos of various children ranging from ages 3-14. Some of the videos included adults abusing the children.
Sheriff Johnson says uncovering the evidence can take time.
"Just to download a phone or download a computer sometimes can take 2-3 weeks, and then you have 250-300,000 images you go through one-by-one and identify the child porn, so it can take months," he said.
The sheriff says investigators are tasked with looking at every single piece of material before making an arrest.
"We get this a lot," Sheriff Johnson said. "They say, 'Well you started the investigation back in February.' Well because of all the images and things on the phones and computers, sometimes it does take months before you can arrest or convict somebody."
As the report shows, when questioned on May 8 inside Gulf Breeze HS, McChesney admitted to possessing child sex material.
A video posted by the school district on YouTube shows McChesney walking across the stage and receiving his diploma at Gulf Breeze High's graduation ceremony on May 30.
WEAR News asked the school district on Tuesday if they were aware of the investigation. They declined to comment on specifics, saying they only recently became aware of McChesney's arrest. Here is the full statement:
Santa Rosa County District Schools recently became aware of a July 2025 arrest involving a former student related to serious allegations. District administration is investigating the circumstances to determine what actions are necessary. The District will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Due to the ongoing investigation, the District is unable to provide additional comment at this time.
"I don't know anything about whether he was allowed to walk or not," Sheriff Johnson said. "...We have nothing to do with how the school district decides who goes across the stage and who doesn't."