Creekview High teacher accused of sexual assault on student

By Fran Jeffries

ajc

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Creekview High School drama teacher was arrested Wednesday afternoon on charges of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student.

teacher verification

Matthew Tamanini, 31, was charged with two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Tamanini, who lives in Canton, has taught English and drama at Creekview since May 2007.

Cherokee County School District Police notified detectives of the allegation Wednesday morning. According to investigators, the alleged relationship with the student had been ongoing for about four months and incidents occurred on the Creekview campus on at least two occasions.

Tamanini remains in custody at the Cherokee Adult Detention center with no bond. Tamanini was scheduled to go before a magistrate judge later Wednesday, according to police.

Tamanini was reassigned to a non-school worksite Wednesday morning pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, according to Cherokee Schools spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby.

The Creekview principal was made aware of the allegations on Tuesday and alerted the Cherokee County Schools police. The superintendent authorized an internal investigation on Tuesday and contacted the sheriff’s office, which began a criminal investigation Wednesday, according to Jacoby.

She said a letter explaining the situation to Creekview High parents would be sent home with students Wednesday.

In November, Creekview High special education teacher Adam Blake Bearden, 31, of Ball Ground, was charged with four counts of felony sexual assault following an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old student.

This article was written by Fran Jeffries   and originally published on ajc