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Substitute Teacher Accused Of Assaulting Young Relative Had Past Allegations

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - 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.

Mathew Lonie Mathew Edward Lonie Matthew Edward Lonie
Mathew Edward Lonie (credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

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.

Letter From Littleton Public Schools To Parents

Dear Littleton Public School Families:

We want to make you aware that over the weekend, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested Matt Lonie, a former Hopkins Elementary teacher and former LPS substitute. He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust.

Mr. Lonie was a paraprofessional at Hopkins beginning in 2005. He taught third grade and kindergarten at Hopkins from 2007 to 2013 and then served as a substitute for LPS until October 2014. He has not been employed in LPS since then.

This is all the information we have at this time. If you have additional information, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 303.277.0211, as they are conducting the investigation. The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority.

Thank you,

Scott Murphy
Superintendent
Littleton Public Schools

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