A prominent figure in Florida’s Democratic Party is facing serious federal charges after being arrested by U.S. Marshals for alleged crimes involving child sexual abuse material.
Matthew Inman, 39, who served as treasurer of the Orange County Democratic Party and was known as an LGBTQ+ activist, was taken into custody after authorities reportedly found disturbing content on his phone. According to the U.S. Attorney General’s office, Inman could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
Federal investigators say the case began in October 2024, when Inman traveled to Las Vegas and began chatting online with someone he believed was the father of a 9-year-old boy. In reality, he was communicating with an undercover officer. During the conversation, Inman allegedly expressed interest in abusing the child and even shared graphic videos containing child sexual abuse material.
Following his arrest, several organizations quickly responded.
The Rainbow Democrats, where Inman held a leadership role, issued a statement expressing deep shock and sympathy for any victims:
“We extend our sympathies to all victims of child sexual abuse and expect full justice to be served. Mr. Inman has been suspended from the Caucus and will be formally removed at our next general meeting.”
The Orange County Democratic Party also condemned the alleged actions:
“We are deeply disturbed and disheartened by the charges against Matthew Inman. Our party firmly stands against child exploitation in all forms and has immediately suspended Mr. Inman from any voluntary positions. We are committed to accountability, justice, and protecting the most vulnerable in our community.”
News of the arrest quickly spread across social media, where many expressed outrage and called for justice, noting that individuals in positions of trust—especially within nonprofits—must be held to the highest ethical standards.
While political affiliations have sparked heated debate online, most reactions have emphasized that this case is about protecting children, not partisanship. One commenter put it plainly:
“Politics aside, this is about doing what’s right. Children deserve to be safe. There’s no excuse for this kind of behavior—justice must be swift and firm.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and Inman has not yet entered a plea in the case.