Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – A Brockton High School instructor has been arraigned on human trafficking charges after an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Matthew Cunningham, 35, of Brockton, was arrested at 10:20 this morning by members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section High Risk Victim Squad and Brockton Police at his Brockton home. Cunningham most recently worked as the choral director at Brockton High School.
Today, he pleaded not guilty in Brockton District Court to one count each of Sexual Conduct for a Fee and Trafficking a Person for Sexual Servitude. Cunningham was held on $25,000 with the conditions that he stay away and have no contact with the victim or Brockton High School, that he stay off social media, that he surrender his passport, and remain in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth requested that Cunningham be held on $50,000 cash bail with the conditions that were adopted.
The charges stem from a several months-long investigation by Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police. The allegations are that on April 27, 2025, Cunningham met up with an underage male victim, performed a sexual act on the victim, and then paid the victim on an App. App administrators contacted the FBI after flagging the monetary transaction between an adult and a minor. The FBI contacted Brockton Police and the investigation commenced.
As a result, MSP and Brockton Police sought and obtained an arrest warrant and Cunningham was taken into custody at his Brockton home this morning.
The investigation is ongoing, which will include a forensic examination of Cunningham’s cell phone.
Cunningham has been placed on leave, according to Brockton Public Schools. He is next scheduled to appear in court on September 18.