Cobb County Police Officer Matthew Clements Abbott was arrested after an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit.
According to the GBI, Abbott, 36, of Marietta, Georgia, was arrested on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and charged with Distribution of Obscene Material, two counts of Public Indecency, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.
The GBI said the Cobb County Police Department requested that the agency open a criminal investigation involving Abbott, who was employed by the department. The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Cobb County Police Department and the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. According to the GBI, the investigation led to a search warrant at Abbott’s home and his arrest.
Abbott was taken to the Cobb County Jail after his arrest, the GBI said.
GBI Says Case Was Part Of ICAC Effort
The GBI said the investigation was part of the ongoing work of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is housed within the agency’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit.
According to the GBI, the task force works to identify people involved in the trade of child sexual abuse material. The agency also stated that the federal Internet Crimes Against Children program was created by the U.S. Department of Justice in response to the increasing use of the internet by children and teenagers, the spread of child sexual abuse material, and online activity by predators seeking contact with underage victims.
Officer Relieved Of Duty
FOX 5 Atlanta reported that Abbott had worked as a Cobb County police officer since January 2016 and was immediately relieved of duty after his arrest.
Atlanta News First reported that Cobb County police said Abbott could face additional charges as the investigation continued.
FOX 5 Atlanta reported that Cobb County Police Interim Chief Dan Ferrell said the allegations were “extremely disturbing” and did not reflect the values of the department. Ferrell said the department would cooperate with investigators, follow the facts, uphold due process, and take the actions necessary to maintain community trust.
Warrant Details Reported By Local Media
According to warrant details reported by Atlanta News First and FOX 5 Atlanta, some of the alleged conduct occurred while Abbott was on duty.
Atlanta News First reported that the obscene material charge stemmed from a February 2025 incident involving electronic messages about sexual acts involving children. The outlet also reported that the violation of oath charge stemmed from the same alleged incident because the messages were allegedly distributed while Abbott was on duty.
The public indecency charges were tied to two separate alleged incidents in June 2025, according to Atlanta News First. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that one alleged incident occurred at Kincaid Elementary School while the school was closed for summer break, and another allegedly occurred in a church parking lot.
Charges Are Not Convictions
Abbott has been arrested and charged, but the charges are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Reporting Child Exploitation
The GBI asks anyone with information about child exploitation cases to contact its Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit at 404-270-8870 or report information through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS, through the GBI online tip form, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
