Charges Dropped Against Westford Academy History Teacher

WESTFORD, MA — The District Attorney's office has dropped charges against Michael Colson, a Westford Academy history teacher accused of harassing a Westford mother and stealing the identity of a student through fake Facebook and email accounts.

The Middlesex District's attorney's office said a "nolle prosequi" was entered Thursday, against the teacher — who is on paid leave, pending the court case —"as we are unable to meet our burden of proof."

"Now comes the Commonwealth and enters a nolle prosequi of the complaint as to both counts. As reasons therefore, the Commonwealth states that after a review of the evidence and applicable law, the Commonwealth would not be able to meet its burden to prove the commission of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt," the text of the filing read.

Colson's arraignment had previously been delayed twice. The accused man's attorney Lissa McKinney did not immediately respond to request for comment from Patch.

The accusation

Jannelle Cioffi of Westford, said Colson harassed her over Facebook and through emails sent to Westford Public Schools staff and Westford residents, using the alias "Kate Lawson."

Cioffi shared messages from the "Kate Lawson" to her, harassing her. The same person created several controversial Facebook groups and added her to these groups and made her a moderator without her permission.

Police said they determined, with the help of the state cyber crimes unit and IP addresses, that the teacher had created a fake email account, and sent harassing emails to both Olsen and Cioffi. They also found that the fake account had used the photo of a senior at Westford Academy as "Lawson's" profile picture without the student's permission.

Police said the internet service provider used in the harassment cases was registered in Colson's wife's name. When police shared with him what they had found, he said he had no explanation, according to the complaint.

A phone call from the District Attorney's office

Cioffi said the District Attorney's office called her on Tuesday before they filed the paper work to let her know that they would be dropping the charges. It shocked her, she said.

"But, just because they dropped the charges does not mean he's innocent, and the DA said that," Cioffi said. "[They told me] a case like this hasn't been tried before in Massachusetts, and the evidence is not solid," Cioffi said. "They need three instances, and we only have two."

She said she's been upset and confused.

"I didn't realize it wasn't an open and shut case," she said.

Cioffi said she also feels let down by the district.

"I don't know what the school system is going to do from here," she said, adding her main hope was that he doesn't work with students again. "There have been teachers fired for less."

Former Select Board Chair Elizabeth Almeida asked the superintendent this week during the School Committee meeting about whether Colson, who is on paid leave, would return to school now that the charges have been dropped. Olsen said he and the School Committee were "actively addressing the issue," with the district’s labor attorney and that he would "not put any children at risk in any way, shape or form."

Cioffi said she also hopes the town will get more serious about and begin enforcing its social media policy.

"I really didn't want the people running for school committee to be treated like I was," she said. "I thought bringing light to the situation might help others. And now, he's getting off scot-free, that in itself is wrong."

She plans to challenge his teaching license.

Previously:Westford Academy Teacher's Arraignment Delayed