Ex-Pensacola Police Officer Facing Felony Charges Over Illegal Sexual Material

A former Pensacola Police officer has been arrested and faces dozens of felony charges related to the possession of illegal sexual material, according to an arrest report released this week.

Matthew Hale Baxter, 47, is accused of storing prohibited content across multiple personal electronic devices. According to the report, investigators discovered more than 1,800 files related to bestiality, as well as child abuse material, during their investigation.

The charges represent one of the most serious criminal allegations involving a Pensacola Police Department employee in recent years. The department has not yet issued a public statement regarding the case or any internal disciplinary actions taken in connection with Baxter's employment.