DOJ: Elementary teacher arrested on child porn possession charges

By Dawn Brooks
Click Orlando
July 16, 2014

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/doj-elementary-teacher-arrested-on-child-porn-possession-charges/26949362

ORLANDO, Fla. -

An Edgewater teacher was arrested Monday on charges of producing and distributing child pornography, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

According to a criminal complaint, Matthew C. Graziotti, 42, an elementary teacher at Warner Christian Academy, distributed 141 pictures and six videos that depicted sexual abuse and exploitation of children to an FBI agent who was acting in an undercover capacity.

In addition, thousands of child porn pictures were found on Graziotti's computer Monday during the execution of a search warrant.

The DOJ said one of the files on Graziotti's computer found by agents showed a picture of him sexually abusing a prepubescent boy. They later found the camera used to take the photograph.

Through an investigation, officials learned that Graziotti teaches elementary school, is the director of the school's summer day camp program, and he formerly worked as a youth pastor at a church in Edgewater, the DOJ said.

'Shock, absolutely shocked. We had not received any kind of report or concern," said Warner Christian Academy Superintendent Mark Tress.

Administrators at the Christian school aren't the only ones stunned, neighbors are too. They watched as law enforcement agents raided Graziotti's Edgewater home.

"It shocked the hell out of me when I heard it, it really did," said neighbor Charles Hoff.

His wife Susan told Local 6, "Then when they said what he was doing, then it was like, 'Oh, okay, around kids all day long..'"

Administrators said in the 10 years they saw no signs that Grazzioti's passion for children would prove problematic.

"We are take this seriously, real seriously, and I feel badly that it's happened. But again, we didn't have any idea, any inclination at all," said Tress.

Graziotti has officially been charged with production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years federal prison for the production charge and a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years imprisonment for each count for the receipt and distribution of the pornography.

Graziotti made his initial appearance in federal court Monday and was detained pending a preliminary hearing July 24.

Graziotti has been placed on unpaid administrative leave effective immediately.

Anyone with any information about potential victims is urged to contact the FBI-Daytona Beach Resident Agency at 386-252-0463.

Stay with Local 6 News and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this story.