CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Hollymead Elementary School teacher Michael Swiney has been arrested and charged with 11 felonies related to allegations he committed sex crimes involving children.
The 37-year-old Swiney, who previously worked at Woodbrook Elementary School, turned himself into the Albemarle County Police Department on Wednesday and is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail without bond, according to an ACPD release.
“The investigation began in January 2026 when a victim came forward to report to ACPD that a staff member at their school had engaged them in inappropriate sexual contact,” according to the ACPD release. “Further investigation revealed three additional juvenile victims who also reported unwanted sexual contact between August 2024 and January 2026.”
Swiney, a Buckingham resident, is charged with seven counts of felony aggravated sexual battery, three felony counts of indecent liberties, and one felony count of attempted aggravated sexual battery.
Albemarle County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas sent an email to families on Thursday, calling the charges “deeply concerning.”
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” Haas wrote in the email.
Haas said Swiney “successfully completed the required background checks before employment,” and said Swiney has been on leave since January, when the allegations surfaced.
Detectives believe that additional victims may exist, any information on the case can be passed on to Detective Godfrey with ACPD at 434-296-5807.
Swiney’s arrest comes three months after another Woodbrook teacher, Nicholas J. Clark, was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.
