Langley High School Teacher Charged With Indecent Liberties

MCLEAN, VA — A Langley High School math teacher was arrested this week after Fairfax County police said detectives investigated alleged inappropriate contact with a student.

Matthew Thorsen, 38, of Reston, was charged with three counts of indecent liberties by custodian and using a communication device to solicit a minor, according to Fairfax County Police. He was held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

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Police said the school resource officer assigned to Langley High School was notified June 2 of concerns about inappropriate behavior involving a teacher and a student. Detectives with the department’s Child Abuse Squad then took over the investigation.

Detectives determined Thorsen, a math teacher at Langley High School, engaged in unlawful and inappropriate contact with a student, police said. Fairfax County Public Schools placed Thorsen on administrative leave after being notified of the allegations, according to police.

Detectives found Thorsen at his Reston home June 4 and took him into custody, police said.

Victim specialists with the department’s Victim Services Division were assigned to make sure the victim receives resources and support, according to police.

Thorsen was arraigned Friday morning in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. on Aug. 21, according to court documents.

All of the charges Thorsen is facing are felonies, with the using a communication device to solicit a minor, which is a Class 5 felony, being the most serious. If convicted on this charge, Thorsen faces a potential sentence of one to 10 years in prison, under the Code of Virginia. However, at the court's discretion, the charge could be dropped down to a misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the case, or other possibly related cases, to contact Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), online or through the P3 Tips app. Anonymous tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. Police said anyone who wants a detective to follow up should leave contact information.