NEWARK, DE — Newark Police announced they have arrested and charged 66-year-old Gary Matta of Newark with a series of sexual assaults of a child occurring more than 30 years ago.
The criminal complaint alleges that in early 2020, Newark Police were notified by the Boy Scouts of America of inappropriate sexual activity that occurred in the late 1980s between a scout leader and a scout. The case was assigned to the Newark Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.
The investigation determined that in 1989, the male victim, then 12 years old, joined the Boy Scouts. Matta was his scout leader. During that time, he began to go to Matta’s Newark residence on a regular basis. Due to a family situation at the time, Matta became the victim’s guardian and the victim moved into the residence. While at the residence, Matta sexually assaulted the victim on numerous occasions between 1989 – 1992. Estimates of the number of offenses are in the hundreds.
After extensive interviews and investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Matta on April 19, 2023.
In addition to other charges listed below, the warrant charges Matta with Unlawful Sexual Intercourse First Degree (“USI”). The crime of USI was subsequently changed to Rape by the Delaware Legislature, but crimes are charged under the state law in effect at the time of the offense.
On April 20, 2023, Newark Police Detectives arrested Matta at his Newark residence without incident. Matta was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with:
- Unlawful Sexual Intercourse First Degree (4 counts)
- Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree
- Indecent Exposure First Degree
Matta 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 that they may have been a victim, is asked to contact Sgt. G. Micolucci at (302) 366-7100 x. 3412 or gmicolucci@newark.de.us. Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on their tips page, where reward information may also be available.
Victims of crime in Newark may contact the Newark Police Department’s Victim Services Coordinator, Ms. Melissa Pennachi, at (302) 366-7100 x. 3137 or mpennachi@newark.de.us. The Victim Services Coordinator is available to provide resources to victims of crime and assist them through the investigation and prosecution process.
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