UKIAH, CA., 4/28/26 — A former Ukiah High School journalism teacher and publisher of the now-shuttered news website MendoFever entered a not guilty plea Monday morning to a misdemeanor charge after being accused of having inappropriate communications with a minor, his defense attorney confirmed.
Matthew LaFever was arrested in November 2025 on suspicion of asking a 17-year-old girl for explicit photos while also sending revealing images of himself. On April 7, LaFever was charged with a misdemeanor count of allegedly annoying or molesting a child under 18.
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