First responder accused of statutory rape
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HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — A West Tennessee first responder is free on bond but faces a very serious charge and strong allegations from those in his town. Matthew McKnight is charged with raping an underage girl. He volunteers for the Humboldt Area Rescue Squad and was arrested Tuesday by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office. A relative of one of his alleged victims, who asked we protect her identity, says he’s done this more than once. “There’s not just one girl, there’s a lot of girls that we know he’s taken advantage of.” A woman, too afraid to reveal her identity, says 22-year-old Matthew McKnight has been taking advantage of young girls for years. “I think he lead some of the girls to believe he was like superman,” she said. “Running around in the squad vehicles with the emblems on it.” McKnight’s squad car still sits in the driveway at his home. He works for the the Humboldt Rescue Squad, a volunteer organization of first responders. Squad leader Jerry Privitt, declined to go on camera but says McKnight knows not to show up for any calls. Some don’t think that’s enough. “If it’s true, with the position he’s in, of course he should be removed,” Terry Nichols said. Nichols lives next door to McKnight and is shocked about his arrest. “I’ve known the guy for a little while here, and he’s a good guy,” Nichols said. “There just needs to be more to the story.” Overall, those close to people involved say McKnight knew what he was doing and this arrest is the first step in holding him accountable. “They were used, and there is help for them,” a close relative of an alleged victim said. “For all those involved to get better and to have more pride in themselves.” McKnight currently is free on $5,000 bond and is set to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Gibson County Court.
