PEI substitute teacher arrested again; faces sexual assault and exploitation charges

A 39-year-old man from Cornwall, PEI, previously charged with child pornography offences, was arrested again over the weekend and now faces more allegations.

Matthew Alan Craswell was taken into custody Sunday and charged Monday morning with sexual exploitation, sexual assault and sexual interference, police said.

“News of this type is shocking to Islanders,” said PEI RCMP Sgt. Shaun Coady. “We urge people to be vigilant and report incidents as they see fit.”

Craswell was initially arrested Aug. 8 as a result of an investigation into child pornography. He was charged with possession and distribution, and was released from custody at that time.

The investigation into the charges against Craswell is ongoing, says PEI RCMP Sgt. Shaun Coady. (Nicola MacLeod/CBC)

Police arrested Craswell again after receiving a complaint from the public about an incident in April 2024, while Craswell was working as a substitute teacher, Coady said. He did not say the school involved, or whether the complaint involved a student or a colleague.

The accused will now remain in custody at the Provincial Correctional Center until an appearance in provincial court on Wednesday for a show-cause hearing, which will determine whether he will be released or continue to be held.

“Our investigation is ongoing and will remain ongoing. If there are further incidents reported, those will be followed up,” Coady said.

The accused is being held at the Provincial Correctional Center in Miltonvale Park until a court appearance later this week. (Ken Linton/CBC)

Craswell’s arrest on child pornography charges last week came after police executed a search warrant at a residence in Cornwall. Police said they seized electronic devices from the home at that time.

The PEI Public Schools Branch has confirmed to CBC News that Craswell worked as a substitute teacher until the end of the school year in June.

In a statement, the PSB said he would not be considered for future employment while the investigation and court proceedings are underway.