A Miami Beach police officer who was investigated by the FBI for alleged child pornography possession is reportedly being considered for promotion to police chief, according to internal sources.
Background of the investigation
Steven Feldman, a major in the Miami Beach Police Department, is said to be a top pick to succeed Police Chief Wayne Jones, who plans to retire in 2028. However, in 2023, Feldman was under FBI investigation after Dropbox flagged three files he allegedly uploaded as possible child sex abuse materials, the Miami Herald reports.
He was placed on administrative leave while federal agents searched his home. The FBI and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office ultimately declined to press charges. An internal investigation later revealed that Feldman and three other officers exchanged hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos on WhatsApp, sometimes while on duty. Some messages contained child pornography, though none sent by Feldman, according to the Herald.
Details of the internal probe
The federal investigation began in September 2021 when Dropbox identified a folder with possible child sex abuse material, including at least one video and one image. Dropbox notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which referred the case to law enforcement. Investigators linked the uploads to an account under Feldman's name.
It remains unclear why federal charges were not filed. The internal affairs probe concluded that the flagged files had been sent to Feldman by other officers via WhatsApp in 2016 and 2018. Between 2016 and 2021, Feldman and three other officers frequently exchanged sexually explicit content. Feldman sent such content in at least 11 instances, six while on duty and two during off-duty details.
Allegations of favoritism
The commander who initially oversaw the internal affairs investigation recommended that Feldman be demoted or fired, sources told the Herald. Shortly after, Chief Jones transferred that commander and several others assisting the FBI out of Internal Affairs, fueling speculation that Jones sought to protect Feldman. 'Everybody with any knowledge of the case got transferred out,' one source said. 'That is unheard of.'
Ultimately, Feldman and the other officers received only letters of reprimand for violating the department's social media policy. Months later, Jones promoted Feldman to major, placing him on the chief's executive team.
Departmental response
Christopher Bess, a Miami Beach Police Department spokesman, defended the actions, stating that the reassignments were part of a broader organizational strategy. He noted that after the FBI and US Attorney's Office closed their case, Jones directed an additional review by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, which found no criminal violations under state law and recommended administrative handling. 'The investigation concluded that Major Feldman violated departmental policy and disciplinary action was imposed,' Bess said.
Bobby Hernandez, president of the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police, called the internal investigation a 'political hit job' and emphasized that Feldman was cleared of criminal wrongdoing. Hernandez praised Feldman as 'probably the smartest individual on the command staff.'
Feldman's career and prior incidents
Feldman joined the force in 2000 and rose through the ranks. Aside from the 2024 reprimand and a 2017 written warning for leaving equipment unsecured in his burglarized vehicle, he faced earlier allegations. In 2005, an Arab officer accused him of using racist slurs, but the case was dismissed as unsubstantiated. In 2015, his emails were flagged during an investigation into racist and sexist messages, but he was not disciplined.
Bess said the promotion to major was 'based on established merit and qualifications.' He declined to comment on Feldman succeeding Chief Jones, noting that decision lies with the Miami Beach City Manager. The Daily Mail has sought comment from Feldman, Jones, the department, and the FBI.
