P.E.I. substitute teacher arrested again; faces sexual assault and exploitation charges

A 39-year-old man from Cornwall, P.E.I., 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 P.E.I. 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.

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 Centre 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.

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 P.E.I. Public Schools Branch has confirmed to CBC News that Craswell worked as a substitute teacher until the end of the school year in June. Craswell was a certified substitute teacher, meaning he was eligible to teach all grade levels and was required to pass a vulnerable sector check every two years. 

The PSB said in a statement on Monday that he would not be considered for future employment while the investigation and court proceedings are underway. 

"PSB staff have been in contact with RCMP and will assist with their investigation as appropriate," reads a second statement to CBC News on Tuesday.

"Supports are available for any student, their family, school and staff through PSB or Victim Services from the Department of Justice and Public Safety."