NEWARK, DE – Gary Matta, a 66-year-old former scout leader from Newark, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against a child that took place more than 30 years ago. The investigation into Matta began in early 2020 when the Boy Scouts of America reported allegations of sexual misconduct between a scout leader and a scout in the late 1980s.
The investigation revealed that Matta had sexually assaulted the victim, who was 12 years old at the time, on numerous occasions between 1989 and 1992. The number of offenses is estimated to be in the hundreds. Following extensive interviews and investigation, an arrest warrant for Matta was issued on Wednesday. He was arrested without incident at his Newark residence on Thursday.
Matta was charged with Unlawful Sexual Intercourse First Degree (4 counts), Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree, and Indecent Exposure First Degree. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $201,500 cash bail. Matta was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.
Anyone with information about this incident, or who believes they may have been a victim, is asked to contact Sgt. G. Micolucci at (302) 366-7100 x. 3412 or gmicolucci@newark.de.us.