BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that 50-year-old Matthew Fisher of South Wales has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.
On Friday, the Western New York District of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI released phone numbers, email addresses, and a web link for any victims of Matthew Fisher to come forward.
U.S. Attorney's Office:
- 1-833-609-1736
- 716-843-5797
- USANYW.GOWVICASST@USDOJ.GOV
FBI:
- 1-800-CALLFBI
- TIPS.FBI.GOV
"We do not want any victim to be felt that they would be unheard. They do not have to suffer in silence," said FBI's Matthew Miraglia.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Fisher turned his school-owned laptop into the IT Department on October 15 due to an issue with the keyboard. Just over a week later, an IT employee was notified of a “Low Severity Alert” on the laptop and allegedly recovered files, which included links such as “Neverland” and “lost boys.”
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the IT employee accessed one of the web pages which depicted naked boys under the age of 10 conducting sexual acts on each other. The employee put the files on a thumb drive and notified the head of the school.
The thumb drive was turned over to the FBI and the Western New York Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory. Images of child pornography were allegedly recovered from the thumb drive. The U.S. Attorney's Office said the images have timestamps that range from January 2019 through September 2023. Some of the images allegedly appeared to be from a covert camera and depict clothed, male children in a bedroom believed to be on campus of The Gow School.
EDITOR'S NOTE: 7 News has chosen to use Fisher's mugshot due to the nature of the crime.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Fisher has been terminated from his position at the school.
FBI Buffalo released the following on social media on Friday:
#FBI Buffalo & the U.S. Attorney’s Office are seeking assistance regarding the Matthew Fisher case.
Victims & members of the public who have specific information related to this case are urged to call (833)-609-1736 or email USANYW.GowVicAsst@usdoj.gov
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/former-gow-school-administrator-charged-possession-child-pornography
The school released the following information to families on Friday afternoon:
"Dear Gow Community,
Unfortunately, I have further disturbing news about the Matt Fisher case. The U.S. Attorney plans to add new and more serious charges regarding production of child pornography.
Fisher remains jailed without bail after his detention hearing this morning. We understand from law enforcement that the FBI’s review to date of the items seized from Fisher’s residence on Sunday night contain images of unclothed male minors while they were present inside the Fisher residence. These were covertly recorded in his home.
What else we’ve learned:
- While the U.S. Attorney’s office cannot rule out anything, we are not aware of any images depicting minor females, or images captured outside of Fisher’s residence. So at this time we do not believe that any Gow student or camper who did not visit the Fisher residence is depicted.
- Given that different boys are depicted in the images, the U.S. Attorney decided to hold a news conference today to share a dedicated phone number for parents to contact the FBI to see if their child is involved. The phone is 833-609-1736.
- It is each family’s personal decision whether they choose to contact the FBI. Doing so, or not, will not affect the charges against Fisher.
- The latest allegations against Fisher are disturbing and will create justified anger and concern in our Gow community as well as neighboring towns, schools, and homes. I am deeply concerned about the families whose children may have been recorded without their knowledge.
- We anticipate media coverage will be extensive and wanted to communicate with you in advance.
I mentioned Wednesday that with the backing of our Board of Trustees, Gow hired a New York City security firm to scan all dorm buildings, locker rooms, and restrooms to be certain that no unauthorized devices are present. We expect that process will be completed during the Thanksgiving Break.
We will get through this because we are committed to our students and our educational mission, driven by the talent and strength of our dedicated and caring faculty and staff. Many of them need and deserve our strongest support at this time and will for days to come. Families pull together at times like these, and the Gow family will as well.
As I’ve said since Monday when I first wrote to you, this man and his alleged actions will not define us, our school, or our future. We will continue to provide our faculty and staff families with all the support they need and want. And I again want to thank you for your ongoing empathy, which means so much at this difficult time."
7 News was in federal court on Friday when Fisher returned for a detention hearing.
The assistant U.S. Attorney said there is still electronic evidence to be reviewed, but said Fisher admitted to viewing and possessing child pornography and hiding cameras on campus among other admissions.
In addition, the assistant U.S. Attorney said Fisher admitted to being in possession of hard drives that contained child pornography when he was arrested by the FBI on November 12 at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport when he was coming back from a work trip in Singapore.
The judge said Fisher's family still lives on the Gow campus but he is not allowed to return. The defense asked for Fisher to be released to his 75-year-old mother in Geneva, Ohio, but the judge said Fisher is a flight risk.
Fisher is at that Niagara County Correctional Facility under U.S. Marshal custody. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
