FCPS Principal Charged with Failing to Report

McLean Police District – As a result of an investigation involving former teacher Matthew Snell, Detectives confirmed that complaints of suspected child abuse were reported to Thoreau Middle School Principal, Yusef Azimi in Oct. 2019. However, the complaints were not subsequently reported to CPS or the police, as required by law. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Azimi, 41, of McLean, with failure to report suspected child abuse. 

Azimi turned himself in Wednesday afternoon at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where the warrant was served. He was processed and released with a $3,000 unsecured bond.

This arrest is the culmination of an exhaustive investigation into Snell which lasted nearly 12 months, included approximately 30 interviews and 24 search warrants.

If you suspect a child may be a victim of abuse you are asked to call our Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800, option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.

Fairfax County Child Protective services can also be contacted at Fairfax County Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline 703-324-7400, TTY 711. More information can be found on their web site – Click HERE

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

(Original release date: November 19, 2019)

Update to Teacher Charged with Crimes against Child

McLean Police District – Matthew Snell is facing an additional felony charge of taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial relationship after a second teen victim was identified. He remains held without bond at the county’s Adult Detention Center and the investigation continues. Detectives are seeking anyone who has information or may have had inappropriate contact with Snell to call our Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800.

(Original release date: October 11, 2019)

Teacher Charged with Crimes against Child

McLean Police District – Matthew Snell, 31, of Maryland, was arrested today in El Paso, Texas, after he attempted to leave the country. Snell, a Thoreau Middle School teacher, faces charges of carnal knowledge of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in custodial relationship. Yesterday, parents found inappropriate text messages from the man to a teen and self-reported to the school. Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau Child Abuse Squad acted swiftly to corroborate the information. Snell became aware of the ongoing investigation and left our jurisdiction as arrest warrants were authorized and obtained. Through coordination with other law enforcement partners, he was tracked to the El Paso International Airport where he was safely taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service. Snell will be extradited to Fairfax County to face charges.

Photo credit: Customs and Border Protection

We would like to thank the Vienna (Virginia) Police Department, United States Marshals Service, the National Targeting Center, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection for their assistance in investigating and apprehending this individual.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure that the victim is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.

Detectives are seeking anyone who has information or may have had inappropriate contact with Snell to call our Major Crimes Bureau detectives at 703-246-7800, option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.