Albemarle County Elementary School Teacher Michael Swiney, 37, Arrested on 11 Felony Sex Crime Charges Involving Children

Hollymead Elementary School teacher Michael Swiney, 37, of Buckingham County, has been arrested and charged with 11 felonies related to allegations he committed sex crimes involving children.

Swiney, who previously worked at Woodbrook Elementary School, turned himself in to the Albemarle County Police Department on Wednesday and is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail without bond.

An Albemarle County grand jury returned the indictments on Monday, June 1. The charges represent one of the more serious cases to emerge from the local school district in recent months, raising urgent questions among parents and community members about student safety inside Albemarle County schools.

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The charges include seven felony counts of aggravated sexual battery, three felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, and one felony count of attempted aggravated sexual battery.

Investigation Began After a Student Came Forward in January

The investigation began in January 2026 when a victim came forward to report to the Albemarle County Police Department that a staff member at their school had engaged them in inappropriate sexual contact.

Further investigation revealed three additional juvenile victims who also reported unwanted sexual contact between August 2024 and January 2026.

Authorities say the investigation grew significantly as detectives worked to piece together the full scope of the alleged abuse. Detectives believe that additional victims may exist. Anyone with information on the case can contact Detective Godfrey with ACPD at 434-296-5807.

Albemarle County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas sent an email to families calling the charges “deeply concerning,” and emphasized that the safety and well-being of students remains the district’s highest priority.

Haas confirmed that Swiney completed the required background checks before his employment and has been on administrative leave since January, when the allegations first surfaced.

A Second Troubling Case at the Same School

Swiney’s arrest comes three months after another Woodbrook Elementary teacher, Nicholas J. Clark, was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. The back-to-back arrests at overlapping school locations have shaken the local community and intensified scrutiny of how the district screens and monitors its staff.

The fact that Swiney had already cleared standard background checks before employment has prompted broader conversations about whether existing vetting procedures are sufficient to protect students. Parents across the district have expressed alarm as the details of the case continue to emerge.

Swiney is currently being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The investigation remains active as detectives continue working to determine whether additional victims have not yet come forward.

Anyone with knowledge related to this case is urged to reach out to the Albemarle County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division as soon as possible. The community is watching closely as the legal process moves forward.