Matthew Lane Durham, 21, was sentenced to four decades in prison by Judge David L. Russell on four counts of “engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places,” according to court documents.
“In a span of just 33 days,” prosecutors wrote to the court, Durham “raped three girls — ages 5, 9 and 15 — at least eight times. During that same time period, he sexually molested a 12-year-old boy twice.”
The region of the eastern African nation that Durham volunteered in has also been shaken, prosecutors say.
In a sentencing memorandum to the court in February, they wrote that Durham’s actions “have had a chilling effect on the lives of dozens of foreign volunteers in Kenya and elsewhere who must now live under the cloud of suspicion … there is a real perception among Upendo’s local Kenyan community that more pedophiles lurk among the volunteers, especially the male volunteers.”
Upendo Volunteer Reacts to Matthew Durham Sentencing
Durham traveled to Kenya several times as a volunteer; trips the government said were used to groom his victims.A federal prosecutor called Durham’s life a masquerade, saying Durham’s trial exposed his true face.Another missionary who worked with Durham said looking back, he too now sees the clues of Durham’s double life.
Hopefully any others who have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by Durham or any other missionaries will have the courage to come forward and report to law enforcement, seek help, heal and protect others.
Silence helps child sex predators like Matthew Durham. Silence helps child sex predators like former SIM missionary from The Village Church in Texas, Jordan Root.
The Village Church in Dallas, Texas engaged in harassment and abusive behavior towards Jordan Root’s ex-wife Karen Hinkley in attempts to keep quiet Jordan’s confession of child sex crimes. Thankfully, Karen spoke out and didn’t cower to Matt Chandler’s church staff and elders’ repeated attempts to pressure her to remain married to an admitted pedophile.
Where is Jordan Root now? Is he still in the “care” of The Village Church elders and members? I had heard that TVC was sending Root to a therapist. Has this therapist and TVC reported all of Root’s confessions of child sex crimes to law enforcement?
The light of truth and knowledge is our greatest tool to protect kids.
Congratulations and thank you to Spotlight, winner of the Oscar for Best Picture.