A person is shown in a neutral portrait-style image against a plain gray background, wearing a dark jacket over a light shirt and looking directly at the camera.
The Ukiah Police Department arrested Matthew P. LaFever, 37, of Mendocino County, Calif., (shown) on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. LaFever is suspected of knowingly annoying and or molesting a minor. (Ukiah Police Department via Bay City News)

MENDOCINO CO., 4/8/26 — A Ukiah High School teacher and former publisher of the shuttered news site Mendo Fever who is accused of having inappropriate communications with a minor has been charged with a misdemeanor count of allegedly annoying or molesting a child under 18, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office. 

Hopland resident Matthew LaFever was arrested in November 2025 on suspicion of soliciting explicit photos from a 17-year-old girl while also sending revealing images of himself. 

LaFever’s arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Superior Court of Mendocino County located at 100 N. State St. in Ukiah.


UPDATE, 4/10/26 — LaFever did not enter a plea at his arraignment Thursday but is scheduled to appear in court again on April 27.

Savana Robinson is a freelancer journalist and photographer based in Ukiah, California.

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15 Comments

    1. The cops & DA already have the evidence. You must be a Trumper – always supporting paedophiles…

    2. Jen sounds like a chick that’s too ugly to get a man. Get over it and get yourself a cat.

  1. So remember folks, these are the people that our government believes should have “their little secrets” about gender and sex with our children. These stories happen ALL of the time in our schools and yet THEY still gaslight us and tells us that we the parents are the ones who can’t be trusted…

    1. Actually he was married with a kid and wasn’t Trans at all. Just a regular weird white dude

  2. Just watched a Norwegian movie about young girls dressing provocatively being sexual and then getting taken advantage of at the end of the night.
    I phoned my niece, 40 years younger than I. No means No. Respect and a
    Moral compass. But in an alcohol fueled night with a temptress you get what you projected. Screwed.
    I’m not taking any high road when lust is vibing

    1. But what if you’re just a pervy teacher sending butt hole pics to your underage student?

  3. We should let the evidence play out so we get all the facts testified under oath. Then let a jury find guilt or innocence. You might have an opinion but your opinion is worthless unless proven.

  4. Dave Eyster is the real pervert here. He gets the UPD to put out a huge press release months ago, sits on the story til now then charges a misdemeanor. Scraping bottom for a charge. He’s a real Chief Executive of the county government all right.
    As Ronald Reagan said way back when, “the nine most dangerous words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”

    1. Why is there no successful recall effort to remove Eyster? It should have already happened by now… Clearly the effort isn’t strong enough or you are doing it wrong…

  5. everybody has an opinion, but no one has actual facts. They just believe stuff passed on by others which is not proven and likely much is just innuendo and fabricated. the only actual facts released, based on official reports, is online contact with a 17 year old who said she was using a fake profile to test her boyfriend – this was characterized in report as catfishing. Lafever asked for photo but not a nude photo – he sent a photo but not a nude photo. Inappropriate? absolutely! but not at all what people say they have seen evidence of. let legal take its course – if he did more they can enter that into evidence and then consequences are based on what is proven. People seem to think Lafever is buddies with DA and cops but I think he made some accusations against them prior to his arrest so they are actually adversaries?

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