Matthew Snell, 31, of Maryland, was arrested Friday, Oct. 11, in El Paso, Texas, after he attempted to leave the country. Snell, a Thoreau Middle School teacher, faces charges of carnal knowledge of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child by person in custodial relationship. Thursday, parents found inappropriate text messages from the man to a teen and self-reported to the school. Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau Child Abuse Squad acted swiftly to corroborate the information. Snell became aware of the ongoing investigation and left FCPD jurisdiction as arrest warrants were authorized and obtained. Through coordination with other law enforcement partners, he was tracked to the El Paso International Airport where he was safely taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service. Snell will be extradited to Fairfax County to face charges.
FCPD would like to thank the Vienna Police Department, United States Marshals Service, the National Targeting Center, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection for their assistance in investigating and apprehending this individual.
Victim specialists from Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure that the victim is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.
Detectives are seeking anyone who has information or may have had inappropriate contact with Snell to call Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.