Ex-Gleason Lake Elementary Staff Member Pleads Guilty in Indecent Exposure Case

A former Gleason Lake Elementary school staff member accused of exposing himself to young children has pleaded guilty to child neglect, a gross misdemeanor charge.

A Hennepin County district judge this week sentenced Matthew Bowers, 37, of Hopkins to three days in jail, time that Bowers has already served during his arrest. Bowers also received two years probation.

Judge Nicole Engisch dismissed two counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of indecent exposure.

Under the judge’s orders, Bowers must stay away from any school in the Wayzata District or “any schools where the victims could attend.” Bowers must also attend a cognitive skills class and receive behavioral therapy.

According to court documents, the conduct occurred in 2019, when parents say Bowers exposed himself on three separate occasions to 7 and 8-year-old girls on school property. Bowers worked as a paraprofessional and program assistant for Home Base, a before and after-school program. One of the incidents occurred during “pajama day” at the Plymouth elementary school.