Delco man charged with sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl

Suspect possessed naked photos of victims, prosecutors say

Matthew Maffei.
Delaware County District Attorney's Office/Source

A Delaware County man is accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl and taking naked photographs of her.

Prosecutors announced Friday the arrest of Matthew Maffei, 41, of Aston Township, for the alleged assault that took place at the victim's home in Middletown, Delaware.

According to an affidavit, Delaware police responded to a report of child sex abuse on Aug. 3.

Maffei was identified as the alleged assailant and he agreed to speak to detectives after a search warrant was executed at his home on Aug. 12, authorities said.

He admitted to assaulting the girl and taking naked pictures of her, according to prosecutors.

Further review of Maffei's cellphone and a flash drive found inside his home uncovered images of the victim as well as sexually explicit images of children under the age of 18, a majority of which were of children younger than 12, according to an affidavit.

Maffei was arrested and is being held at Delaware County prison after he failed to post $250,000 bail. 

He has been charged with 225 counts of possession of child pornography, criminal use of a communications facility and sexual abuse of children.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.