Jury selection begins in trial for Anne Arundel teacher charged with sexually abusing students
Jury selection is underway in a trial involving a former Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher accused of sexually abusing multiple young students.
Matthew Schlegel, 45, who worked as a teacher at Severna Park Elementary, is facing 55 counts of assault and sexual abuse of a minor.
Police say the former third-grade math teacher at Severna Park Elementary School assaulted eight girls during class between August 2022 and March 2024.
A spokesperson with Anne Arundel County Public Schools said Schlegel had been employed with them since 2008. He became a teacher at Severna Park Elementary in 2016.
The school district said Schlegel was removed from the classroom on March 15, 2024, the same day officials were notified of the allegations.
He was denied bail in May 2024 after a judge described the allegations as "deeply disturbing."
Meanwhile, Peter O'Neill, Schlegel's attorney, said his client was innocent and wanted to defend himself.
Judge Pamela Alban is presiding over Schlegel's trial, which is scheduled to go on until June 17.
120 prospective jurors reported
A panel of 120 prospective jurors reported Monday as attorneys began the process of selecting who will hear the case.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, none of the 120 prospective jury members have been dismissed. Jury selection will continue Tuesday morning.
Maryland teacher charged with assaulting third-graders
The students alleged that Schlegel, their third-grade math teacher, inappropriately touched them during classroom time.
Investigators conducted at least eight forensic interviews with students since launching the investigation in March 2024, according to police.
Detectives said the alleged assaults of third-grade girls occurred during class at Severna Park Elementary School between August 2022 and March 2024.
The Anne Arundel County Public School system removed Schlegel from the classroom on March 15, immediately after being notified of the allegations, according to the school district.
Schlegel was denied bail in May 2024, during a hearing in which a judge said he was "deeply disturbed."
Similar investigations into assault allegations
In June 2024, a Randallstown High School teacher was accused of performing sexual acts on a minor, who was a student at the school. In addition to the assault, the Baltimore County State's Attorney's office accused Carlos Arroyo of grooming the victim.
According to investigators, Arroyo was giving the victim rides to the Metro Station on Painters Mills Road. The female victim told authorities that Arroyo was helping her because she faced a lengthy walk to the bus station, followed by an extended bus trip home.
In July 2024, a Baltimore City school teacher at Baltimore's Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High School was charged with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl who lived in the same apartment complex.
Lewis Laury, 24, was charged with the second-degree rape and sexual offense in the third degree, after police accused Laury of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
