Co-owner of NJ gymnastics center sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, police say

The co-owner of an Atlantic County gymnastics center was arrested Sunday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, police said.

The Galloway Township Police Department said it received a report of a man, identified Tuesday as Matthew A. Shriver, 51, of Brigantine, sexually assaulting the girl. An investigation included obtaining search warrants for his cellphone, car and place of business, Everest Gymnastics & Tumbling Center in Galloway, police said.

Their findings, combined with cellphone evidence, led to Slater’s arrest, police said. He was charged with aggravated assault, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence and obstructing justice, the department said. He was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility following his arrest and will be held there until future court proceedings.

It was unclear whether the girl was a student at the gym.

The center announced Tuesday that it had severed all ties with Shriver and that he would not be allowed near the company.

“Due to the highly sensitive events, we here at Everest would like to announce that the suspect is no longer associated with this establishment,” the center wrote on its Facebook page.

“We would like to acknowledge that the sole owner, Jennifer Jones, does not accept this behavior. We are proud of what we do in this community. And we hope you continue to see that as we have since 2017.”