Cottage Grove talent scout charged in sexual misconduct case

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A Cottage Grove, Minn., man who owns a talent casting company is accused of molesting two boys who were aspiring actors and spent lots of time alone with him.

Matthew D. Feeney was charged last week in Washington County District Court with two felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. One charge deals with engaging in sexual contact with someone under age 13, the other with engaging in sexual contact with someone between 13 and 15 while in a position of authority over the victim.

According to court records, Feeney owns and is casting director for Bloomington-based Walden Entertainment, which casts actors — often juveniles —as extras in movies and television shows.

The criminal complaint filed against Feeney alleges that in 2007 he befriended the parents of two boys. Feeney eventually met the boys, who were aspiring actors, and got them casting opportunities. Over time Feeney became a close family friend who was trusted with the boys, their mother told investigators.

Feeney often hosted the boys at his Hamlet Lane home in Cottage Grove, where they played video games, watched movies and spent the night. He took them on camping trips and to film festivals and Valley Fair. He sent text messages to one of the boys and lured him to Feeney’s home with promises of movies, video games and also work in exchange for money, the complaint alleges.

Starting in 2009, Feeney allegedly had sexual contact with the boys, who were 14 and 9 at the beginning of the two-year span during which the incidents occurred. The alleged activity took place at Feeney’s home.

In March of 2012, the older boy became uncomfortable when his mother was posting family photos to Facebook because he did not want people looking at his body. He broke down and told her of the alleged abuse, according to the complaint. Then the younger brother was questioned by their mother and he also became upset and admitted similar activity.

Feeney has a criminal history, according to prosecutors. He was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Aitkin County, Minn., in 1992. In February of this year he was charged with indecent assault and battery, enticing a child and unnatural acts in Massachusetts after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy. Those charges are pending.

Feeney was arrested and booked into Washington County jail on Tuesday, June 26. He was released on $100,000 bond and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims. He could not be reached for comment.

Scott Wente is the editor of the South Washington County Bulletin.

Tags: area news, news, minnesota, crime