An Oklahoma man who volunteered at a children’s home in Kenya has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to CNN and other outlets reporting from the federal court in Oklahoma City.
Matthew, who was 21 at the time of the offenses, was convicted by a jury in June on multiple counts related to his time at the Upendo Children’s Centre in 2014. Reports say a judge later threw out three of the counts in January, ruling prosecutors had not established the required elements for those charges. Prosecutors argued in court filings that he took advantage of the trust placed in him while volunteering, and the court handed down the 40 year sentence.
Matthew’s attorney, Stephen Jones, told CNN after the sentencing that the defense plans to appeal. Jones has said a confession in the case was coerced.
To protect the children involved, we are not sharing identifying details about them. This story is based on the court proceedings and reporting from CNN and other news outlets.
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