Crime & Safety

Creekview Teacher Accused of Sex Crimes Sentenced

The former Creekview High School teacher pled guilty to second degree cruelty to children.

A former teacher at Creekview High School who was accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with an underage student was sentenced in Cherokee County Superior Court on Monday.

Matthew Tamanini, 32, of Canton, pled guilty to second degree cruelty to children and was sentenced to ten years.

He was originally arrested in January and charged with two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody following allegations that he had carried on a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student at Creekview for four months.

According to Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Shannon Wallace, Tamanini must serve the first six months of his sentence in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, or until a bed opens up at a state detention facility.

Once Tamanini is placed in a state detention facility, his six month sentence is suspended, but must serve a 120-day sentence before being released to serve the rest of his 10-year sentence on probation.

According to court documents, conditions of Tamanini's probation forbid him from having contact of any kind with persons under the age of 18. He is also forbidden from possessing any images of persons under the age of 18, changing residences without the approval of his probation officer, or embarking on a new job without the consent of his probation officer.

Additionally, he must pay restitution of $487 to benefit the victims, must perform 120 hours of community service, and cannot consume alcohol or own a firearm. 

Tamanini is also ordered to pay $1,350 in court costs.


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