The FBI is asking for the public’s help to identify victims of a suspected serial child predator who has been living in the Southeast United States. The female victims—some as young as 8 years old—may be unaware of what happened to them.
Matthew John Coniglio, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen who was jailed in Savannah, Georgia on April 10, 2014 for possession of child pornography, committed suicide on April 20. At the time of his arrest, Coniglio worked as a sales representative for a food distribution company headquartered in Florida.
Videotaped evidence seized at the time of his arrest in Pooler, Georgia suggests that Coniglio drugged multiple young females who he subsequently molested and raped. Coniglio also possessed more than 50,000 images and/or videos depicting child pornography. There is no evidence to suggest that he shared or traded any of the videotaped assaults.
A review of various public sites reveals that over the past 15 years, Coniglio has resided in Savannah and Pooler, Georgia; Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.
At this point in the investigation, photographed victims are being identified and notified. Those who believe they may have been victims are encouraged to come forward—not only to aid investigators but potentially to seek services through our Victim Assistance Program. A confidential questionnaire is available for anyone who thinks they may have been victimized by Coniglio or who may have information about his predatory behavior.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge J. Britt Johnson stated, “While Coniglio took many answers with him upon his death, the FBI is now focused on efforts to provide victim assistance and support to those numerous individuals whom Coniglio harmed.”
If you have information about the ongoing investigation regarding Matthew John Coniglio or believe you may have been victimized by him, please complete our confidential questionnaire or send an e-mail to FBIvictimassistance@ic.fbi.gov. You can also contact the FBI’s victim assistance toll free number at 1-877-236-8947, your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Southeast Georgia Child Exploitation Task Force, in partnership with the Pooler Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, and Effingham County Sheriff’s Department.
