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Lyons man charged with attempting to bribe witness while jailed on rape charges

A Lyons man already being held without bail on rape charges is facing a new set of felony accusations after investigators say he attempted to bribe and threaten a witness from inside the jail.

Matthew J. Hagar, 37, was arrested on a sealed grand jury indictment warrant following an investigation into alleged activity between October and November 2025.


Authorities say Hagar used jail phone communications to conspire with others in an effort to influence a witness tied to his existing case. The allegations were presented to a Wayne County Grand Jury, which returned an indictment on March 31.

Hagar is now charged with attempted bribing of a witness, conspiracy to commit criminal solicitation in the fourth degree, criminal contempt in the second degree, conspiracy to tampering with a witness in the fourth degree, and criminal solicitation in the fifth degree.

He remains in custody at the Wayne County Jail without bail on his prior charges. Following arraignment on the new indictment, a $1 bail was set on the latest charges due to his existing detention status.