A Galloway Township man will remain in jail on charges he sexually assaulted a young family member.
Michael Matthews, 66, was living with the 12-year-old girl and her family when the alleged assaults came to light April 10, 2021. BreakingAC is not revealing their exact relationship in an effort to help protect the victim’s identity.
The abuse started when she was 3 or 4, the girl told police.
Information she provided led investigators to a napkin Matthews used to clean himself after he raped her was in a trash can at the home.
Recently completed DNA testing matched it to both the girl and Matthews, which led to his arrest last week, Assistant Prosecutor David Ruffenach told the judge.
Matthews told investigators that he “got familiar” with the victim and “touched her back and front.”
He is charged with aggravated sexual assault.
After the abuse was reported, the man moved out of the girl’s home and had been staying in the Economy Inn on the Black Horse Pike, Matthews’ attorney said. She argued that he could safely be released with conditions.
“This case involves him sexually assaulting (a family member) for the last eight or nine years,” Ruffenach argued. “While there’s no evidence he’s done this to a non-family member, that’s a big risk.
Superior Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant agreed and ordered Matthews held as his case go through the courts.
He remains in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Matthews could face life in prison if convicted.
