Article Text

Three Fairfax County Public Schools employees were arrested in separate cases involving allegations of inappropriate contact with a student, embezzlement and the theft of classroom tools.

The arrests involve employees at Langley High School, Hayfield Secondary School and the school division’s facilities department.

Langley teacher held without bond

Matthew Thorsen, a 38-year-old math teacher at Langley High School, was arrested Thursday at his Reston home after detectives determined that he allegedly had unlawful and inappropriate contact with a student, Fairfax County police said.

The investigation began June 2, when Langley’s school resource officer received concerns about a teacher’s behavior involving a student. Detectives with the police department’s Child Abuse Squad then took over the case.

Thorsen was placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced. He has worked for FCPS since 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He faces three counts of indecent liberties by a custodian and one count of using a communications device to solicit sex from a minor. Online court records list Aug. 18, 2025, as the date of all four alleged offenses.

Both charges are Class 6 felonies in Virginia and carry potential prison sentences of one to five years.

Thorsen remained at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond after his Friday arraignment. A preliminary hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 11 a.m.

Hayfield employee accused of taking more than $40,000

In a separate case, Hayfield Secondary School finance technician Stephanie Gale is accused of embezzling more than $40,000 from the school.

Police began reviewing Hayfield’s finances after the office of FCPS Auditor General Esther Ko reported a possible misappropriation of money by an employee.

Detectives obtained warrants charging Gale, a 45-year-old Lorton resident, with embezzlement and computer fraud. She turned herself in at the county jail on Monday, June 1.

Court records identify Jan. 1, 2023, as the date of the alleged embezzlement.

Gale was released on her own recognizance. Her arraignment is scheduled for Monday, June 8, with a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. in Fairfax County General District Court.

Hayfield Principal Tony DiBari told families that the employee had been suspended without pay following the arrest, though he did not identify her by name. Gale joined FCPS in 2019 and held other positions before working at Hayfield.

DiBari said the suspected financial misconduct was uncovered during a routine audit that began when he joined Hayfield. He said the school was cooperating with police and would address any additional problems identified by the investigation.

Under Virginia law, embezzlement is treated similarly to larceny. Theft of at least $1,000 from a business or organization can carry a sentence of one to 20 years in prison, or as much as 12 months in jail depending on how the case is tried. Computer fraud involving more than $1,000 is a Class 5 felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison.

Facilities worker charged in tool theft

Trevor Papavasiliou, a 34-year-old Culpeper resident who has worked in FCPS facilities since 2022, was charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing woodworking tools from Chantilly High School.

The school’s resource officer was notified May 29 after administrators learned that an employee may have taken a bag containing tools from a woodworking class. Police estimated the tools’ value at about $1,200.

Investigators identified Papavasiliou as the suspect and obtained a warrant. He turned himself in Thursday at the Fair Oaks District Station.

Papavasiliou was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday, June 10. His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. in general district court.

FCPS suspended him from his facilities position following the arrest, police said.

Superintendent Michelle Reid acknowledged the series of cases in a statement, saying FCPS would focus on accountability and the well-being of students and staff while cooperating with law enforcement and administrative authorities.

Reid also emphasized that most of the school division’s more than 180,000 students and 40,000 employees demonstrate integrity and dedication each day. She said protecting FCPS students and staff remains a top priority.