Former youth pastor sentenced to 15 years

A former Matthews County Youth Pastor was sentenced on Wednesday, February 12th to 15 years in prison for sodomy of a minor through the use of mental incapacity or physical helplessness.

Kenneth Scott Marshall, 36, had been a volunteer with the youth group for the Cornerstone Church.  After the allegations were made, the church released him and issued a statement.

"Scott Marshall was a volunteer working with the youth at the church. Upon learning of the allegations in June, which did not occur at the church, he was immediately removed from his volunteer position and from any contact with our youth pending the outcome of the Sheriffs investigation.

This is the churches statement and has no further comments."

The boy, who was evidently 15 at the time of the abuse, testified that he had received a phone call from a pastor at the church telling him that he needed to recant his allegations.

While Marshall denied the allegations against him, DNA evidence was reportedly recovered from the child which matched Marshall.  Court documents indicate that Marshall gave the boy sleeping medication before the assault.