News Summary
Matthew Cunningham, a choir director at Brockton High School, has been arrested on charges of sex trafficking involving an underage student. The arrest followed a months-long investigation and includes serious allegations such as engaging in sexual conduct for a fee and trafficking a person for sexual servitude. Cunningham, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, has pleaded not guilty and faces strict bail conditions. The community is shaken by the allegations, raising concerns about safety and trust within the educational environment.
Brockton, Massachusetts – Matthew Cunningham, a 35-year-old choir director at Brockton High School, was arrested on sex trafficking charges involving an underage student. The arrest occurred on Tuesday morning at Cunningham’s home and followed a months-long investigation led by Massachusetts State Police in conjunction with Brockton police.
Cunningham faces serious charges, including sexual conduct for a fee and trafficking a person for sexual servitude. According to reports, the investigation was initiated after the FBI was alerted by app administrators about a questionable transaction occurring between an adult male and a minor. This raised red flags that prompted police involvement.
The investigation revealed that Cunningham allegedly met with a male minor on April 27, during which he engaged in a sexual act and compensated the victim via a mobile app. Following his arrest, Brockton Public Schools placed Cunningham on paid administrative leave. A district spokesperson emphasized that the safety and well-being of students will remain the top priority and that resources would be allocated to support the school community during this troubling time.
In court on August 19, 2025, Cunningham pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces. The judge set his bail at $25,000, which includes conditions such as maintaining distance from the victim and the high school, abstaining from social media, surrendering his passport, and remaining within state lines. Prosecutors had requested a higher bail of $50,000, indicating the severity of the alleged crimes. A forensic examination of Cunningham’s cell phone is also expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
Cunningham’s next scheduled court appearance is on September 18, 2025. His role as the choral director at Brockton High School began in 2013, and he also serves as the president-elect of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. The recent allegations have significantly unsettled the Brockton High School community, leading to concerns among students and parents alike about the implications for safety and trust within the educational environment.
Before his time at Brockton High School, Cunningham was an elementary music teacher in Holbrook Public Schools. A local resident, he graduated from Brockton High School in 2008 and furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from Providence College, followed by a master’s degree from Florida State University.
As the investigation proceeds, Cunningham’s previous involvement in the community and educational settings raises questions about the broader implications of such allegations on public trust and child safety within schools. The Brockton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police continue their inquiries into the case, ensuring that all necessary legal steps are taken in the pursuit of justice and accountability.
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Additional Resources
- Boston 25 News
- Wikipedia: Sex Trafficking
- WCVB
- Google Search: Sex Trafficking in Education
- Enterprise News
- Google Scholar: Educational Institution Responsibility in Student Safety
- WHDH
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Misconduct
- Boston Globe
- Google News: Brockton High School Scandal
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