The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has released a statement regarding the arrest of an instructor in Central Tech’s Criminal Justice program on Tuesday for what they’re calling “child sexual abuse material.”
According to a post on the official OSBI Facebook Page, the Sapulpa Police Department requested on September 12th that the OSBI investigate a cybertip they had received regarding inappropriate material involving child sexual abuse.
Upon investigating, the OSBI agents discovered “several explicit images,” and was able to track the online user to 48-year-old Ryan Matthew Matthias, a criminal justice instructor at Central Technology Center, and former law enforcement officer for Creek County.
On Tuesday, November 5th, a task force with the OSBI, along with assistance from SPD and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department, served a search warrant at Mattias’ residence and his workplace, where they recovered digital devices.
In a statement to Fox 23, Central Technology confirmed that OSBI agents arrived at the Sapulpa Central Tech campus shortly before 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning and took Matthias into custody. Central Tech says the officers “also conducted interviews with students, having secured the necessary parental permission.”
“The instructor has been placed on administrative leave,” the statement said.
Central Tech says they are “fully cooperating with the OSBI in this ongoing investigation. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff.”
As of this writing, Matthias has been booked into Creek County Jail on charges of child pornography and computer crimes.
Central Tech says a former instructor will assume teaching responsibilities to ensure that classes continue as scheduled.
