Please note: An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Matthew Sheridan (age 48) 32 Marion Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 P1-2016-1542A
The Statewide Grand Jury reported out a secret indictment on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 charging Matthew Sheridan with one count of first degree sexual assault and one count of second degree sexual assault. The indictment was sealed and an arrest warrant was issued for Sheridan.
It is alleged that on or about diverse dates between June 1, 2003 and July 9, 2004, Sheridan sexually assaulted a boy whom he was known to, with the sexual assault being in the first and second degree. The victim was 15 and 16 years-of-age at the time of the alleged assaults. The alleged assaults took place in Cranston. The victim reported the sexual assault the Rhode Island State Police who conducted the investigation.
Sheridan has been identified as being currently employed as a teacher at the Western Hills Middle School in Cranston. The Rhode Island State Police concluded the assault was not connected to Sheridan's role as a school teacher and no other victims have been identified at this time. If anyone has information regarding other assaults or inappropriate behavior by Sheridan, they are encouraged to contact the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau.
Sheridan was arrested by the Rhode Island State Police on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at approximately 5:00 p.m. He was processed at the Rhode Island State Police headquarters and held overnight.
The indictment was unsealed this morning at his arraignment before Providence Superior Court Magistrate Patricia L. Harwood. Bail was set at $50,000 with surety. As a condition of bail, Sheridan was ordered to have no contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with any minor children. The Court set July 20, 2016 for a pre-trial conference.