UPDATE: The trial for former Benicia Unified teacher Matthew Joseph Shelton, accused of multiple counts of child molestation, is set to proceed as scheduled in Solano County Superior Court this November. A hearing will take place on October 6, 2024, where a judge will consider a motion to quash information regarding one or more of the alleged victims.
Shelton, aged 43, faces 12 felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts involving four minors under the age of 14. The trial management conference occurred on October 2, 2024, in Vallejo, and was overseen by Judge John B. Ellis. He is currently out of custody under a pretrial services contract, represented by attorney Amanda I. Bevins.
The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Barry Shapiro, is pushing forward after a December 2024 preliminary hearing confirmed sufficient evidence for Shelton to stand trial. During the hearing, the court was informed that documents related to Shelton’s teaching history in Napa from 2007 will be released, although specifics about the minors involved will be withheld to protect their identities.
Shelton’s charges stem from accusations made while he was teaching at Robert Semple Elementary School in Benicia during 2022. The amended complaint details five counts of lewd acts on one child, two counts on another, one on a third, and four on a fourth child, highlighting the vulnerability of the victims and alleging that Shelton exploited his position of trust as a teacher.
Court records reveal that a trial confirmation is scheduled for November 3, 2024, with the jury trial commencing on November 5, 2024. In a previous case, Shelton was acquitted of similar charges in Napa, where he was a third-grade teacher at Phillips Edison Elementary School in 2008. Despite this, fresh allegations have surfaced, and he faces serious consequences if convicted.
The court has also subpoenaed records from various institutions, including Highland Elementary in Vallejo and medical facilities in the area, to aid in the case. Although Shelton is no longer with Benicia Unified, he was able to secure employment at Helms Middle School in Pinole following his resignation on March 23, 2023, while his teaching credential remained active until its suspension in March 2024.
This case continues to unfold, with significant implications for the victims and the community. As the court prepares for the upcoming hearings, the urgency surrounding the protection of the minors involved remains paramount.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story progresses, keeping in mind the emotional weight of the allegations and the impact on the community.