From the HERE City State Desk
A former Bremen High School teacher and coach will spend most of the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced Tuesday for sex crimes against students.
Haralson County Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper sentenced Geoffrey Brad Matthews to 50 years, with the first 49 to be served in prison followed by a year on probation. During sentencing roper said children have an absolute right officials noted to an education and to be safe while receiving it.
A jury convicted Matthews on Sept. 9 on all 13 counts, including child molestation and grooming-related charges. Prosecutors called 33 witnesses during the 11-day trial, which the district attorney’s office described as one of the longest criminal jury trials on record in Haralson County. The evidence included text messages, photos and testimony about abuse inside the school’s wrestling complex, in classrooms and on school buses.
Matthews, who also drove a school bus, was investigated by Bremen police beginning in early march after a group of male students officials noted ages 14 to 17 compared notes and realized he was targeting multiple teens.
Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney Jaeson Smith credited the victims who came forward and said Matthews will spend practically the rest of his natural life behind bars. Matthews also faces charges in a separate case in Carroll County.
Prosecutors called seven victims associated with bremen high school and two officials noted witnesses who testified they were victims of similar crimes by Matthews. Assistant District Attorney Jason Jones handled the case for the state. During the two-week trial, eight young male victims took the stand.
