OKLAHOMA CITY - A federal jury has reached a verdict in the trial of Matthew Durham. He has been convicted of illicit sexual conduct with children at a Kenyan orphanage.
Prosecutors said 20-year-old Durham of Edmond, Oklahoma, targeted the children while he worked at an orphanage in Kenya. Earlier this week, Durham testified that he never abused any of the children.
Friday afternoon, a federal jury found Durham guilty on seven counts, and not guilty on 10 counts. He's found guilty on seven counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, and not guilty on eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.
The Durham family and his friends left the courthouse without a comment.
Matthew Durham's attorney Stephen Jones said they were obviously disappointed with the conviction, but now their focus is on the sentencing.
"It was not as good as we wanted too see but could have been worse", said Jones.
" This is not a verdict to celebrate. The only winner here is justice," said US Attorney Sandy Coats. "Bottom line is that Mr. Durham is a threat to children, and it will be our position that he should be extricated from society at sentencing for a significant period of time."
Durham faces 210 years in prison if he gets the maximum penalty for each count. A sentencing will likely take place 90 days from Friday, June 19.
Durham showed no emotion when the verdict was read.
Prosecutors said 20-year-old Durham of Edmond, Oklahoma, targeted the children while he worked at an orphanage in Kenya. Earlier this week, Durham testified that he never abused any of the children.
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| Matthew Durham |
The Durham family and his friends left the courthouse without a comment.
Matthew Durham's attorney Stephen Jones said they were obviously disappointed with the conviction, but now their focus is on the sentencing.
"It was not as good as we wanted too see but could have been worse", said Jones.
" This is not a verdict to celebrate. The only winner here is justice," said US Attorney Sandy Coats. "Bottom line is that Mr. Durham is a threat to children, and it will be our position that he should be extricated from society at sentencing for a significant period of time."
Durham faces 210 years in prison if he gets the maximum penalty for each count. A sentencing will likely take place 90 days from Friday, June 19.
Durham showed no emotion when the verdict was read.
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