Chickaloon Justice Department director facing child pornography charges

WASILLA — Chickaloon Tribal Justice Department Director and public safety officer Matthew William Schwier remains jailed in Anchorage on federal charges of possession of child pornography.

According to an Aug. 16 indictment filed in Anchorage US District Court, Schwier was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Aug. 22 in Palmer on three counts of sexual exploitation of a child-possession of child pornography. In a true bill grand jury indictment filed Aug. 16 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon, Schwier is alleged to “…knowingly possess matter containing visual depictions…involving prepubescent minors and minors under 12 year(s) of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct…”

According to court documents, Schwier, 33, has served as a Chickaloon tribal peace officer since April 30, 2014. Documents say Schwier is a former Nome Police Department officer who was hired in June 2011 and terminated two weeks prior to the end of his 12-month probationary period.

US Assistant Attorney General Kyle Reardon said all parties were scheduled to be back in court Tuesday afternoon for a continuance hearing. Reardon is asking Schwier be held without bail, adding that federal officials consider Schwier to be a substantial flight risk.

Chickaloon Tribal Justice Department Executive Director Gary Hay said the community had no comment regarding Schwier’s arrest or on the pending charges.

Court documents have set a jury trial on the matter for Oct. 16 before U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com