Music Teacher at Area Church Charged with Child Sex Abuse

By Janice Broach
CBS 3
July 1, 2014

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/story/25910612/music-teacher-at-area-church-charged-with-child-sex-abuse

Matthew Williams was charged with child sex abuse involving a family member. (Photo Source: Shelby County Jail)

A once trusted Hope Presbyterian Church music teacher is now at the center of a child sex investigation.

Officials are releasing very few details about the investigation, but they do say that it involves multiple agencies.

On Wednesday, Matthew Williams was charged with child sex abuse involving a family member. On Saturday, Hope Presbyterian Church found out and terminated Williams' contract immediately.

Collierville Police Department confirmed there is an investigation, but that is all it would say.

Williams taught piano lessons at Hope Music Academy at the church for almost a year.

A spokesperson for Hope Presbyterian told WMC Action News 5 that Williams, like other employees, went through a very extensive background check that included national data bases, a sex offender registry and even a check for aliases. Still, the church found no criminal record.

"They made an effort, you can't fault them for not finding out," said one Mid-South resident. "It's very hard out here because you don't know who to trust out here."

According to a church spokesperson, about 33 percent of Williams' music classes consisted of adults.

Hope Presbyterian Church has no information that anything happened at the Music Academy, but it is cooperating with investigators.

According to church officials, the church community is very shocked and saddened by the allegations against Williams.