Former Chester County Scout leader surrenders on charges of sex with minors

Accused of having indecent contact with two boys, a former Chester County Boy Scout leader and computer technician for Great Valley School District surrendered Monday at Oxford District Court.

Matthew C. Lewis, 27, of Malvern, was charged with endangering the welfare of children, indecent assault of a person under 13, corruption of minors, and related offenses stemming from complaints in 2006 and 2007.

The investigation began this summer after Boy Scout personnel contacted authorities about allegations of inappropriate conduct by Lewis at the Horseshoe Scout Reservation in West Nottingham Township.

Lewis's attorney, S. Lee Ruslander, did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Lewis is accused of indecently assaulting a boy, 11 or 12 at the time, during a weeklong summer camp in 2006. He tried to meet with the youngster alone about six months later but was rebuffed, the criminal complaint said.

The following summer, Lewis allegedly tried to solicit another 11- or 12-year-old camper, but that boy also refused.

Jennifer Blake, community relations coordinator for the Great Valley School District, said Lewis, a school computer technician since July 2008, was placed on administrative leave Friday.

She said the district was notified of the investigation in August but was advised by its solicitor to wait until charges were filed before it took any action.

Tom Dintaman, the assistant executive for the Chester County Council of Boy Scouts, said last week that Lewis was dismissed as soon as the allegations surfaced. He worked as a volunteer leader in a variety of capacities, including at Camp Horseshoe, since he graduated from Scouting at 18.

Lewis was released after posting 10 percent of $10,000 on each complaint to await a preliminary hearing Dec. 28.