A Mendocino County news reporter, identified as 37-year-old Matt LaFever of Hopland, was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of sending sexually suggestive comments on social media to a 17-year-old Ukiah High School student.
The Press Democrat reports Ukiah Police began the investigation on October 16th after a parent made a report. Investigators say a second minor also received suggestive messages, and LaFever allegedly asked for inappropriate photos and sent sexually explicit images of himself.
LaFever, who runs the news site Mendofever and recently taught journalism at the high school, is being held on $10,000$ bail for suspected misdemeanor annoying or molesting a minor.
Police confiscated his electronic devices and allege he used the screen name “Johnnyender” to contact “numerous” minors across Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Ukiah Police Department.
