CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Former Hollymead Elementary School staffer Michael Swiney is accused of exposing himself to elementary school girls, even placing his penis in one of the girls’ hands, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecuting the case.

Swiney is facing seven counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery and three counts of indecent liberties stemming from allegations made by four girls, all under the age of 13, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Lawton Tufts told the court during a status hearing Thursday at Albemarle County Circuit Court.

Tufts also told the court he had reason to “question the trustworthiness,” of Albemarle County Public School’s Title IX report on two of the incidents, alleged that the division has been less than forthcoming with information during the criminal investigation and claimed it mishandled mandated reporting of a separate incident.

These include allegations that Swiney had groomed the girls, made sexual comments toward them and showed his penis on multiple occasions.

Swiney is also alleged to have placed his penis in a victim’s hand, touched one girl’s vaginal area above the clothes and showed a picture of his penis to a victim. Investigators found a picture of his penis upon searching his phone, but it was taken after the alleged incident.

These allegations stem from between August 2024-January 2026, and Tufts noted all four victims came forward before any allegations were made public. They also had no connection with each other, either socially or through family relation.

Tufts also told Albemarle Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins he “questioned the trustworthiness” of Albemarle County Public Schools during the most recent court appearance of former Hollymead staffer Michael Swiney on Thursday.

Swiney is facing seven counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery and three counts of indecent liberties stemming from allegations made by four girls, all under the age of 13, Tufts said.

Tufts made these revelations as Swiney’s attorney, Christopher Leibig, attempted to have his client released on a $50,000 secure bond, which Higgins rejected.

If granted, Swiney would have been placed on house arrest, with no access to children besides his own 10-year-old and three-year-old, and with no access to the internet other than a family computer while under the supervision of his wife, Gail, who was in the courtroom, along other family members of Swiney.

Leibig pointed to a report by ACPS he received earlier this week, which cleared him of any Title IX violations in one of the cases, which encompasses two of his charges.

Tufts said Swiney had met with administration in March 2025. Emails obtained by Cville Right Now also confirm this, with Swiney receiving an email from then-Hollymead Principal Joe McCauley on March 24, 2025, in which McCauley referenced the meeting they had earlier that morning.

“Being aware of one’s own self in space in close quarters is guidance that’s good for everyone so as to not accidentally make anyone uncomfortable,” McCauley wrote in the email.

McCauley also mentioned how Swiney had moved posters that were obstructing the window on his door following the meeting, and urged him to keep his door open as much as possible when meeting with kids, which Tufts said he did not do.

McCauley later sent that email to ACPS Human Resources Business Partner Eirine Vlavianos on Jan. 30 of this year, referencing an incident.

ACPS Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer Brodie Downs later emailed Albemarle’s Senior Intake Coordinator Amy McManaway on March 9 about an incident in which Swiney allegedly kissed a student, stating he had been informed of the incident during a conversation with Swiney, and Downs had reported it to ACPD Detective Scott Godfrey the next morning.

McManaway replied saying ACPS also needed to report to CPS directly in order to fulfill their requirements as mandated reporters. The next day, Senior Child Protective Services Investigator Olivia Barrow sent an email to Downs and McCauley and said CPS had yet to receive a report or any info on the child and would like to start an investigation.

Downs later indicated the incident was determined not to be Title IX in an email to ACPS Title IX Coordinator Erin Stone on May 8.

Ultimately, Tufts argued Swiney’s prior violation of rules and expectations as an elementary school staff member indicates a capacity to violate any rules set by the court. Higgins agreed with Tufts’ points, denying the bond request.

Another status hearing for Swiney has been set for Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m., as Tufts and Leibig said they expect a discovery order to be submitted within the next day or two.