A Madeira Beach firefighter/paramedic has been arrested on a federal charge accusing him of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following an FBI undercover investigation.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 43-year-old Dominic Bueller is charged with distribution of child pornography. The complaint alleges the offense occurred on or about June 12, 2026, in Pinellas County.
Bueller was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on July 25, 2026, by the United States Marshals Service, according to jail records.
According to an affidavit submitted by an FBI Special Agent, the investigation began after an FBI online covert employee received a message from a user identified as “silvertree” from FetLife, a website that claims to be the World’s Largest BDSM, Kink, and Fetish Community. Investigators say the profile contained photographs depicting Bueller wearing his firefighter uniform and helmet. The affidavit alleges Bueller moved the conversation to Telegram, where he later distributed two videos depicting child sexual abuse material to the undercover employee on June 12. These disturbing videos involved children estimated between 6 and 12 years old. There were also disturbing messages exchanged between Bueller and the covert FBI employee.
The FBI alleges subscriber records from FetLife, Telegram, AT&T, and Charter Communications linked the online accounts and associated IP addresses to Bueller’s residence and mobile phone. Investigators also confirmed Bueller was employed as a firefighter/paramedic with the Madeira Beach Fire Department.
The City of Madeira Beach released the following statement.
“The City of Madeira Beach and Madeira Beach Fire Department have been informed of the arrest of one of its employees. In accordance with department policy, the employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the criminal investigation and judicial process. The City and Fire Department respect the legal process and will refrain from further comment while the matter remains before the courts.”
A federal magistrate judge signed the criminal complaint and arrest warrant on July 24, 2026, after finding probable cause to believe Bueller committed the offense of distributing child pornography.
IONTB will update this story as additional information becomes available.