Former teaching assistant arrested, accused of sexually victimizing a middle school student

FORTUNA, Calif. (KIEM) — A McKinleyville man is under arrest and charged with sexually assaulting a middle school student.

Fortuna Police announced Friday that 29-year-old, Mathew Oliver Gibson, is now in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Gibson is accused of victimizing a student at Toddy Thomas Middle School during an after school program between 2017 and 2018. He was a teacher’s assistant at the time.

“With the information just recently being discovered and coming to light, the Fortuna Police Department worked collaboratively with the District Attorney’s Office, Child Welfare, and school officials to bring an immediate and effective address to the situation,” according to Fortuna Police Chief Casey Day.

Police say they are continuing to investigate to see if other students had been victimized by Gibson. Bond has been set at $500,000.