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WEST JORDAN — A former teacher and golf coach for West Jordan High School is now facing 19 felony charges accusing him of having an illegal sexual relationship with a teenage student since the beginning of the school year.
Matthew Jason Rueckert, 32, of Riverton, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with two counts of rape, object rape, and four counts of forcible sodomy, first-degree felonies; plus 11 counts of forcible sexual abuse and obstruction of justice, second-degree felonies.
Rueckert is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in his classroom multiple times next to his desk as well as inappropriately touching her both at the school and outside of the school, according to charging documents.
The girl told police that at the beginning of the school year in August, she was invited to "hang out" in Rueckert's classroom to talk or watch movies. By November, the teen said they kissed in the classroom and "over the next few months, their relationship progressed and became more physical," the charges state.
Police say Rueckert and the girl would then begin locking the classroom door when she came in. The teen told investigators that "she began being late or missing other classes regularly or going after school to spend time with Rueckert in his classroom."
The girl was raped next to Rueckert's desk twice, the charges state. One time, the two were engaged in a sex act, "but stopped because it was time for class" and then turned the lights on, according to prosecutors.
On Feb. 21, Rueckert called the girl and told her "that somebody had reported them to school administration and that she needed to delete everything between them on her cellphone so he didn't get them into trouble," the charges allege.
He was arrested about a week later. Several hours after his arrest, the Jordan School District announced that Rueckert was no longer employed by the district.
"Jordan School District takes all reports of employee misconduct very seriously. We do not tolerate any kind of misconduct or behavior endangering the safety of students. Allegations regarding the actions of a former West Jordan High School teacher were immediately investigated by the school and West Jordan police. Swift, appropriate action was taken. We are cooperating fully with police," the district said in a statement.
"The victim stated that she felt she was in a relationship with the defendant and the defendant told her that he loved her," the charges say. "The defendant used his position of trust to prey upon the victim."
Police have requested that Rueckert be held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail pending trial.
