Matthew Queen : “Southern Baptist professor charged with falsifying records in sexual assault case”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Southern Baptist scandal
2. Falsifying records cover-up

A former Southern Baptist professor, Matthew Queen, has been accused by the Department of Justice of falsifying records to cover up an alleged sexual misconduct incident at a Texas seminary. Queen, who is now a pastor at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in North Carolina, faces serious charges for obstructing a federal investigation. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary disclosed the matter to the DOJ and took immediate action against Queen and other employees involved. The investigation, related to allegations of sexual abuse within a national religious denomination, has been ongoing since 2022. Queen could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The Alleged Incident at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

A former Southern Baptist professor, Matthew Queen, has found himself in hot water after being accused by the Department of Justice of attempting to cover up an alleged sexual misconduct incident at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. The incident in question took place during a meeting on January 26, 2023, where Queen allegedly falsified records in an attempt to obstruct a federal grand jury investigation.

Charges and Allegations Against Matthew Queen

Matthew Queen, 49, who was recently appointed as pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, now faces charges of falsifying records for his involvement in the alleged cover-up. The indictment, announced by the Southern District of New York, accuses Queen of doctoring notes from the meeting he attended with two unidentified seminary employees, in an effort to corroborate false information and hinder the investigation.

Reactions and Responses

Upon hearing of the allegations against Queen, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the seriousness of attempting to manipulate or interfere with a federal investigation. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith echoed this sentiment, stating that Queen’s actions had deliberately delayed justice for the victims of sexual abuse. The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary swiftly responded by disclosing the matter to the DOJ and taking immediate action against employees involved in the incident.

The Role of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Founded in 1908 by a prominent Southern Baptist Convention leader, the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has a longstanding affiliation with the Southern Baptist Church. The school became embroiled in the investigation when it received a grand jury subpoena related to allegations of sexual abuse within a national religious denomination. This led to the discovery of the alleged cover-up orchestrated by Matthew Queen and his co-workers.

Legal Ramifications and Potential Consequences

If convicted of falsifying records, Matthew Queen could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The court papers revealed that Queen had initially denied any knowledge of attempts to conceal the sexual abuse allegation but later changed his story when confronted with evidence. The DOJ’s investigation into the matter sheds light on the lengths to which individuals may go to obstruct justice and manipulate the truth.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com