PEI substitute teacher arrested again; charged with sexual abuse and exploitation

A 39-year-old man from Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, who was previously charged with child pornography, was arrested again over the weekend and now faces additional charges.

Matthew Alan Craswell was arrested Sunday and charged Monday morning with sexual exploitation, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

“Police fully recognize how difficult it can be for people to report crimes of this nature,” RCMP Chief Inspector Kevin Lewis said in a news release Monday.

“However, thanks to the information we provided to the PEI RCMP, we were able to take the same action as yesterday and re-arrest this individual.”

Craswell was initially arrested on August 8th as a result of a child pornography investigation. He was charged with possession and distribution and was released at that time.

Monday’s press release said police arrested Craswell again after receiving a complaint from the public about an incident in April 2024, when Craswell was working as a substitute teacher. It’s unclear whether the complaint involved a student.

The suspect will now remain in custody at the Provincial Correctional Center until he appears in provincial court for a hearing on Wednesday. At that hearing, it will be determined whether he will be released or held longer.

Craswell was arrested last week on child pornography charges after police executed a search warrant at a Cornwall home. Police said they seized electronic devices from the home.

PEI’s Public Schools Department confirmed to CBC News that Craswell worked as a substitute teacher until the end of the school year in June.

The PSB said in a statement that he would not be considered for future employment while the investigation and legal proceedings are ongoing.