Former Benicia Teacher Found Guilty Of Child Sex Abuse: Report

BENICIA, CA — A former Benicia elementary school teacher was found guilty Thursday of 11 felony counts of child sexual abuse involving female students following a five-week jury trial, according to SFGATE.

Matthew Shelton, 44, taught fifth grade at Robert Semple Elementary School from 2015 to 2022. Prosecutors said he inappropriately touched a student during a 2019 field trip and three students in his classroom in 2022.

Shelton was placed on leave in 2022 after students reported the misconduct to school administrators.

The conviction follows earlier allegations against Shelton while he taught at Phillips Magnet Elementary School in Napa. He faced child molestation and battery charges involving four girls in 2007 but was acquitted by a jury in 2008.

Despite his termination from Napa Valley Unified School District, Shelton retained his teaching credentials and later joined Benicia Unified School District, according to the report.

The Benicia district now faces several civil lawsuits alleging negligence in hiring Shelton.

Superintendent Chris Calabrese addressed the verdict in a statement, reaffirming the district's commitment to student safety, hiring and screening practices, and reporting procedures.

Shelton is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16, according to court records cited in the report.

Read the full report from SFGATE.