Wisconsin Department of Justice Agents Partner with Town of Madison Police Department in Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Operation

MADISON — On Friday, July 13, 2012, Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice -- Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), with assistance from the Town of Madison Police Department, executed a search warrant at the residence of Matthew R. Pfendler, located at 2714 Pheasant Ridge Trail, Unit 3, in the Town of Madison.

According to the criminal complaint, an on-scene, forensic preview of a hard drive recovered at the home uncovered images consistent with child pornography.  When asked by special agents if he had any child pornography on his computer, Pfendler stated that there probably was, according to the complaint.  Pfendler has been charged with 10 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography, a felony.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.

The DCI and Town of Madison Police Department worked this case jointly after receiving a referral from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Central District of California as part of the Southern California Regional Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Team (SAFE Team) and the FBI-led Houston (Texas) Area Cyber Crimes Task Force. 

Questions concerning this case should be directed to the Dane County District Attorney's Office.  A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence.  The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.