Substitute Teacher Accused Of Assaulting Young Relative Had Past Allegations

A substitute teacher in Jefferson County faces charges of sexual assault on a child.

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies arrested Mathew Edward Lonie, 35, on Sunday in unincorporated Jefferson County. He is accused of assaulting a young relative.

Lonie has worked as a substitute in Jeffco Public Schools since 2013. Prior to that he taught kindergarten and third grade at Mark Hopkins Elementary School in the Littleton Public Schools system for approximately seven years, and then worked as a sub for LPS for a short time afterwards.

Authorities said the case doesn’t have anything to do with any of Lonie’s school activities.

An arrest affidavit says the child claims that she was sexually assaulted by Lonie at least four times before.

The arrest affidavit says in 2012 there was also an allegation of inappropriate conduct involving Lonie and a student or former student. Charges in that case were never filed but he lost his job as a result of it.

“We ask parents to talk to their kids and to make sure that they understand that it’s okay to tell them if they have any concerns about an interaction with any adult — and to always talk to their parents, or to someone of authority, or at their schools if they have concerns,” Mark Techmeyer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.

Lonie’s bond has been set at $35,000. He’s due back in court Thursday to be advised if he’ll be charged with any crimes.

Source: cbslocal