FBI seeks victims of suspected child predator with Hilton Head ties
The FBI is looking for help to identify victims of a suspected child predator who has lived on Hilton Head Island and in Savannah.
Matthew John Coniglio, 46, was arrested in April for possession of child pornography. He committed suicide while in jail in Georgia on April 20.
More than 50,000 images and videos depicting child pornography seized in Pooler, Ga., suggest that Coniglio drugged multiple girls -- some as young as 8 -- before he molested and raped them. Investigators have identified one possible victim who lived in Beaufort County, but have not confirmed where the incident occurred, Sgt. Robin McIntosh said Tuesday.
"At this time, we have received no additional information that any incidents occurred within Beaufort County," McIntosh said.
During the past 15 years, Coniglio has resided in a variety of places, including Hilton Head Island, Charleston, Savannah, Pooler, Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.
"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," J. Britt Johnson, FBI special agent in charge of the Atlanta field office, said in a news release.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Southeast Georgia Child Exploitation Task Force, in partnership with the Pooler Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Liberty County (Ga.) Sheriff's Department and the Effingham County (Ga.) Sheriff's Department.
Pooler police, who initially led the investigation, have not responded to repeated requests for comment.
Anyone with information about the ongoing investigation regarding Coniglio or who believes they have been victimized by him can send an email to FBIvictimassistance@ic.fbi.gov, call the FBI's victim-assistance toll-free number at 877-236-8947, or contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.
Island Packet staff writer Rebecca Lurye contributed to this report.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2014 at 2:25 PM.