ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg police officer who was given a Medal of Valor in 2015 is now facing federal child porn charges.
- St. Petersburg Police officer facing federal child porn charges
- Matthew Enhoffer, 33, has been placed on administrative leave
- Chief Holloway: I don't want one officer to tarnish St. Pete police officers
Matthew Enhoffer, 33, has been placed on administrative leave without pay.
U.S. Homeland Security was involved in the investigation, according to Chief Anthony Holloway, who was emotional in describing the charges Thursday.
Enhoffer is accused of trading child porn pictures involving victims as young as 4 years old. Authorities said pornographic images were found on his computer and phone.
Four years ago, Enhoffer was heralded for saving a man's life in St. Petersurg. This week, he walked out of a federal courthouse wearing an ankle monitor and was ordered not to use the internet or his cell phone.
Holloway said he does not want this arrest to stain the department.
"I don't want one officer to tarnish St. Pete police officers," Holloway said. "There's over 500 officers each and every day that go out there and give it their all.... so I just want you to know that we are going to get past this."
According to the Department of Homeland Security, a social media app tipped off the Center For Missing And Exploited Children about two child porn images in July uploaded by a user "Hoff 727."
The username led federal investigators to Enhoffer's home on Sept. 11, where they say they found at least 10 child porn images on Enhoffer's computer.
Holloway said Enhoffer is on unpaid leave and will be fired if the charges prove valid.
It is unclear exactly how many images were found on Enhoffer's computer. That information could determine what type of sentence he could receive if sentenced.