Sheriff’s Office recommends more charges against substitute teacher

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is recommending more charges against a former East Valley substitute teacher accused of assaulting four students at Trent Elementary on Jan. 16 and locking the classroom door to prevent children from leaving.

Matthew C. Deryan, 46, could face 19 felonies – one for third-degree assault and 18 for unlawful imprisonment – and 10 less-serious charges of fourth-degree assault.

Detectives said the charges were needed because of the number of students in the classroom and the number of students allegedly assaulted, said Deputy Craig Chamberlin, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Students in a sixth-grade classroom said Deryan assaulted four students, locked the door and prevented them from leaving the classroom, according to court records. They said he called them names, swore at them and smelled of alcohol.

In those same court documents, Principal Frank Brou said Deryan denied he assaulted the students. Brou said Deryan appeared coherent but a little agitated. Deryan was fired and banned from the school grounds.

He pleaded not guilty to the original charges of four counts of fourth-degree assault and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. His trial is set for April 21.