Westford Academy Teacher's Arraignment Delayed Until March 23

WESTFORD, MA — Westford Academy teacher Michael Colson’s arraignment has been delayed until March 23 due to a request for a continuance, Patch confirmed.

This is the second time Colson’s arraignment has been moved—it was first set for Feb. 10, before being moved to Feb. 24.

The history teacher and former president of the Westford Education Association is being charged with harassment and identity fraud after allegedly making fake Facebook profiles and email accounts to harass a mother in the district.

The Lowell Sun reported that the mother, Jannelle Cioffi, told the paper she heard from the Ayer District Attorney’s office that Colson is seeking to have the charges dismissed.

Colson allegedly created a profile under the name “Kate Lawson,” and added Cioffi to several groups as an administrator.

He is accused of sending emails harassing Cioffi and Superintendent Bill Olsen, and of posting on "Lawson's" about secret messages between Olsen and Cioffi. Cioffi filed a report in June 2020. A senior at Westford Academy later reported to the police that a photo of her was being used as Lawson’s profile picture.

Police say they tracked the IP address of the origin of the messages to Colson’s computer in November and December.