HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- A Mechanicsville man who worked in the Hanover County Schools system was arrested and charged with child pornography and animal sex abuse-related crimes.
Scott Ryan Matthews, 31, was booked at Pamunkey Regional Jail without bond after his September 27 arrest.
"Matthews originally reported being a victim of a sextortion on September 24, 2024," a Hanover Sheriff's spokesperson wrote in an email. "It was later determined he was in possession of child pornography and sexual abuse materials related to animals. Upon this discovery, Matthews was taken into custody."
At the time of his arrest, Matthews was a special education instructional assistant at Cool Spring Elementary School, Hanover Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris Whitley confirmed to CBS 6.
Before his time at Cool Spring, Matthews held a similar role at:
Oak Knoll Middle School (2015-16, 2016-17, 2019-20, and 2022-23)
Hanover High School (2017-18 and 2018-19)
Transportation attendant (February 2012 - 2014-15 school year)
Transportation substitute for the school system (October 2011 - January 2012)
"This news is incredibly disturbing, and we take these matters very seriously. We became aware of the arrest Friday afternoon and immediately referred it to our Human Resources Department," Whitley wrote in an email. "[He] was placed on administrative leave without pay. As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to work closely and in full cooperation with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office."
Anyone with information about Matthews was asked to call the Hanover Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6140 or Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
