Daytona Beach, FL - For the second time this week, a cyber tip leads to the arrest of another man in possession of child pornography. This time, it’s an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student.
The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) arrested Mathew Brockelbank in an ERAU classroom on Thursday (Feb. 24) following their monthslong investigation. Detectives say it was a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that spurred the investigation in October 2021. It alleged that someone using an IP address from the ERAU campus had uploaded suspected child pornography.
A subpoena helped detectives discover that the files were uploaded to the internet by a username assigned to Brockelbank. As investigators worked that tip, a second tip from the NCMEC came in and said another child porn file which was uploaded through ERAU’s network via Brockelbank’s username.
At this point in the investigation, detectives believe Brockelbank used various messaging apps and email accounts to upload the files, which shows young children of various ages engaged in multiple sex acts.
After uncovering enough evidence for a search warrant, investigators entered Brockelbank’s on-campus dorm and seized multiple electronic devices, including his cellphone. Forensic analysis of his phone turned up 77 child porn files, including photos and videos, which contributed to the 28 counts of child pornography possession he now faces.
Brockelbank remains in the Volusia County jail on bond set at $420,000—or $15,000 per felony count. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.
His arrest is the third arrest for child pornography possession this month; all of which stemmed from tips submitted by the NCMEC. First, Brandon Shelton was arrested after a tip linked him to a series of files portraying children between the ages of 2 and 9 in sexually exploitative situations. He was also charged with six counts of sexual activity involving animals after investigators also learned he was sexually abusing his mother’s dog. He eventually bonded out of custody.
Then on Tuesday (Feb. 22), Volusia County deputies arrested Francisco Siaca after they discovered 10 electronic files were uploaded, showing victims as old as 13-years-old and as young as toddlers. He also bonded out of jail.
