NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. -- A former New Kent County teacher and coach was arrested Monday and charged with crimes against children. Matthew Spencer Duckworth, 40, was indicted by a New Kent County Grand Jury on November 19 on five counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children.
At the time of the alleged incidents, Duckworth was a Biology teacher at New Kent High School and served as a coach for several school sports teams including girls field hockey and tennis.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim was a 16-year-old female student of Duckworth.
Matthew Spencer Duckworth
The complaint alleged the Biology teacher sent the girl a photo of a naked white man from the chest down via a social media app. The victim said she believed the photo was of Duckworth.
Duckworth asked if the student would send a picture back to him, the complaint alleged. The girl said she did, but it was a photo of her leg.
During a September incident, Duckworth was accused of asking to hug the girl during a code red drill. When she didn’t respond, he hugged her anyway, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint also alleged Duckworth offered the 16-year-old student some crushed up Xanax pills to help her calm down.
Duckworth is no longer employed by New Kent County Public Schools. He had been employed with the school system for more than 17 years, according to New Kent Superintendent David Myers.
The indictments came as the result of an intensive investigation by members of the New Kent Sheriff’s Office. Duckworth was arrested Monday morning at approximately 8:30 a.m.
"At this time for the protection of the victim and the integrity of the case there will be no additional details released as this is an ongoing investigation," New Kent Sheriff Joe McLaughlin said.
Duckworth was granted 25,000 bond at a court hearing Monday afternoon.
Anyone with additional information is about this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Brent Thomas at 804 966-9500.
This is a developing story. Anyone with additional information can send news tips. photos, and video here.
