Rathdrum man charged with child sexual exploitation

A Rathdrum man is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.

Matthew D. Koltas, 19, of Rathdrum, is charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitive material, all felonies. 

After investigating a tip related to Koltas’ account on Kik, a messaging app, police executed a search warrant for Koltas’ home, according to court records. Police seized multiple electronic devices that belonged to Koltas for the purpose of forensic review. 

A search of Koltas’ cellphone allegedly yielded 39 images of child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said, including images of children as young as 3 or 4 years old. 

Police also located a sexually explicit Kik chat between Koltas and a user who told Koltas she was 12 years old, according to court records. 

When interviewed by police, Koltas said he “would engage in chatrooms where he would locate images of underage girls” and exchange images with others, according to court records. 

Koltas is a member of the Air National Guard and had planned to “go to Thailand with the military” the day after police served the search warrant, court records said, but he had not yet received his passport. 

Police obtained a $250,000 warrant for Koltas’ arrest and took him into custody Friday night. As of Tuesday, he remains in jail.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.