A 35-year-old Warwick firefighter is facing a felony charge after he allegedly used his cellphone to secretly record a woman during sex without her knowledge or consent earlier this month. Matthew J. Cavanagh was arrested on October 12 on one count of video voyeurism, and he remains on paid administrative leave from the Warwick Fire Department while the case moves through court.
Cavanagh, a Warwick resident, is accused of recording the woman during intercourse that day without her knowledge or consent, according to court documents cited by The Boston Globe. He did not enter a plea during his arraignment in Kent County District Court, and he was released on $50,000 personal recognizance with a non-domestic no-contact order, per WPRI. He is due back in court on January 11, 2027, for a screening.
Firefighter Stays on Payroll During Leave
Cavanagh was hired by the city in 2016 and earns an annual salary of $94,315, the station's report notes. He has been placed on paid administrative leave from his firefighting job, which city officials attributed to the terms of the firefighters' union contract, according to WJAR.
Warwick officials have declined to elaborate further on the case. Per the same account from the Globe, the city said it does not comment on personnel matters or active police investigations. Cavanagh himself declined to comment when reached by phone, the Globe reported.
What Comes Next
The case is still in its early stages, with Cavanagh's next scheduled court date more than two months away. No additional details about the status of his plea, the identity of the alleged victim, or the outcome of the criminal proceeding have been made public.
