More Charges For Dilworth Summer Camp Owner In Sex Assault Case

CHARLOTTE, NC — A summer camp operator who was charged last month with sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl last summer now faces new charges from two counts of indecent liberties with children, Charlotte police said Wednesday.

Parents of the girl in the first reported case told Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Feb. 12 that Ricardo Mata, 52, sexually assaulted their daughter while she attended his summer camp, called "Play Spanish" during the summer of 2017.

The camp was located at 1000 East Morehead Street, a CMPD report said.

Following an investigation by CMPD's Crimes Against Children Unit, a warrant was issued for Mata's arrest. He was taken into custody following an interview with detectives March 16, and charged with "Indecent Liberties with a Minor-Lewd and Lascivious," CMPD said. He was transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.

SEE ALSO: Summer Camp Owner Charged In Sex Assault Case: CMPD

Days after his arrest was announced, a child told her mother that Mata also sexually assaulted her while she attended a Spanish class held after school at Eastover Elementary School, CMPD said. The alleged assault occurred in 2017, when the child was also 6 years old.

Following an investigation into the second report, detectives have charged Mata with two additional counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

“Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials are cooperating in this investigation,” CMPD said in a statement. “Mr. Mata was not a CMS employee and the Spanish classes were not associated with the school, and was renting space in the school for the classes.

CMPD asks that anyone with information about this case contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department