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LEADER KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN AT TEN. A BLAIR MAN WELL KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY IS ARRESTED ON ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD. GOOD EVENING. I’M JULIE CORNELL. I’M BILL SHERMAN. AUTHORITIES ARE GETTING SO MANY TIPS ABOUT MATTHEW SAUNDERS THAT THEY’VE LAUNCHED A JOINT TASK FORCE. YOU CAN EMAIL INFORMATION TO REPORT CONCERNS AT BLAIR HARNEY.GOV. A HOTLINE HAS ALSO BEEN CREATED. (531) 209-4214 KETV NEWSWATCH 7. QUANECIA FRASER HAS LEARNED THAT MATTHEW SAUNDERS WAS THE FOUNDER OF A LOCAL CAR SHOW. SHE JOINS US LIVE HERE IN THE STUDIO. JULIE BILL, MATTHEW SAUNDERS ORGANIZED BLAIR CRUISE NIGHT. I TALKED TO ONE MAN WHO ATTENDED THE SHOW. HE WAS THERE JUST LAST MONTH. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HE’S PRETTY SHOCKED ABOUT THE NEWS. I GOT THIS THING FOR $200 FROM AN OLDER GENTLEMAN THAT WAS GOING TO, UNFORTUNATELY, SCRAP IT. CARS AND CREATIVITY IS WHAT DRIVES CAMERON BUTTERFIELD’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL. RATHER BE RACING. TOOK THE WHEELS AND TIRES OFF THIS CAR AND PUT THEM ON HERE. WE CAN TAKE OLD VEHICLES, CARS AND MOTORCYCLES AND JUST REVIVE THEM, GIVE THEM A SECOND LIFE. HE ENJOYS TAKING HIS CREATIONS TO CAR SHOWS LIKE BLAIR CRUISE NIGHT. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO REALLY GET TOGETHER, BUT AFTER THIS WEEK, HE’S NOT SURE WHAT THAT EVENT WILL LOOK LIKE. I’M HONESTLY IN SHOCK. I’M STILL KIND OF GRASPING THE IDEA THAT THIS THIS REALLY HAPPENED. THE FOUNDER OF BLAIR CRUISE NIGHT, MATTHEW SAUNDERS, HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON A NUMBER OF CRIMES, INCLUDING CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY BELIEVES SAUNDERS COMMITTED THE CRIMES BETWEEN 2023 AND 2025. I’M STILL PROCESSING EVERYTHING, TAKING EVERYTHING IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HANDED DOWN A 14 COUNT CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST SAUNDERS. ALLEGED VIOLATIONS INCLUDE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD, PRODUCTION OF CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL, SOLICITATION BY MEANS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, INTENTIONAL CHILD ABUSE AND TERRORISTIC THREATS. I TRIED TO NOT THINK SO MUCH ABOUT IT. I’M GOING TO JUST OF COURSE, WE’RE GOING TO LEAVE IT UP TO THE HIGHER AUTHORITIES TO DEAL WITH ALL THIS. AFTER THE ARREST WAS ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND BLAIR POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED A JOINT TASK FORCE. THE AGENCY SAY THEY’VE RECEIVED SEVERAL TIPS, REPORTS AND QUESTIONS, INCLUDING PEOPLE SAYING THEY MAY BE POTENTIAL VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. THEY CREATED A DEDICATED HOTLINE THROUGH PHONE AND EMAIL AND SAY EVERY TIP WILL BE REVIEWED. AS FOR BUTTERFIELD, HE’S HOPEFUL THE ARREST DOESN’T MEAN THE END OF CAR SHOWS IN BLAIR. I HAVE NO DOUBTS AT ALL THAT I COULD REALLY HELP BRING IT ON AND EVEN BRING MORE CAR PEOPLE INVOLVED. AGAIN, THERE IS BOTH AN EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN COME FORWARD. THE EMAIL IS REPORT CONCERNS AT BLAIR EDDIE.GOV. THE PHONE NUMBE
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Blair man held on $5 million bond in child sexual assault case
A Blair man accused of sexual assault of a child was held on bond during a court appearance Tuesday.Matthew Saunders, 43, is charged with 10 counts of sexual assault of a child, as well as one count of production of sexual abuse material, one count of solicitation by means of electronic communication, one count of intentional child abuse, and one count of terroristic threats.Previous coverage: Man charged with child sex assault founded popular car show in BlairHe was held on 10% of $5 million bond. Prosecutors requested no bond for Saunders, who will not be allowed to have contact with children under 16 or access to electronic devicesThe Washington County attorney believes Saunders committed the crimes between 2023 and 2025. After Saunders was taken into custody last week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Blair Police Department announced a joint task force. READ MORE: Washington County man arrested on child sexual assault chargesThe agencies said they’ve received several tips, reports and questions, including people saying they may be potential victims and witnesses.He is scheduled to appear in court next on July 7. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A Blair man accused of sexual assault of a child was held on bond during a court appearance Tuesday.
Matthew Saunders, 43, is charged with 10 counts of sexual assault of a child, as well as one count of production of sexual abuse material, one count of solicitation by means of electronic communication, one count of intentional child abuse, and one count of terroristic threats.
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Previous coverage: Man charged with child sex assault founded popular car show in Blair
He was held on 10% of $5 million bond. Prosecutors requested no bond for Saunders, who will not be allowed to have contact with children under 16 or access to electronic devices
The Washington County attorney believes Saunders committed the crimes between 2023 and 2025.
After Saunders was taken into custody last week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Blair Police Department announced a joint task force.
READ MORE: Washington County man arrested on child sexual assault charges
The agencies said they’ve received several tips, reports and questions, including people saying they may be potential victims and witnesses.
He is scheduled to appear in court next on July 7.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
