Holmes County Man Arrested for Sending Obscene Material to 13-Year-Old

Matthew Phillip Thomas, 40, faces charges of Obscene Material to a Minor and Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor after Holmes County Sheriff's Office investigators executed search warrants on his social media accounts and found multiple inappropriate and obscene messages, along with explicit photos allegedly sent by Thomas to a 13-year-old Holmes County resident.

The investigation began after the Panama City Police Department and the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center submitted a complaint to HCSO investigators regarding alleged communications between Thomas and the child. After reviewing the social media accounts under warrant, investigators obtained arrest warrants and moved to take Thomas into custody.

On the morning of March 10, the United States Marshals Task Force and the Bay County Sheriff's Office arrested Thomas in Bay County. He is expected to be extradited to Holmes County to face the charges. The investigation remains ongoing, according to authorities.

Holmes County Sheriff John Tate issued a direct warning to parents in the wake of the arrest. "Parents should stay involved and aware of who their children are communicating with online to help protect them from individuals who may try to exploit them," Tate said.

No attorney for Thomas has been identified in court records, and no court date had been announced as of Friday. The Holmes County Clerk of Court would have docket information once charges are formally filed following extradition.