Oklahoma City: A teen pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges that he sexually abused children at an orphanage in Kenya.
Matthew Lane Durham, 19, was indicted on three felony counts by a federal grand jury on Tuesday that accused him of traveling from Oklahoma City to Kenya to sexually abuse children at the Upendo Children's Home. The orphanage outside Nairobi specialises in assisting neglected Kenyan children by providing them with food, housing, clothes and academic and religious instruction.
Durham was also indicted for illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and aggravated sexual abuse. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
An affidavit filed in federal court says Durham wrote and signed a statement acknowledging the sexual misconduct, which an Upendo official provided to the US Embassy in Nairobi.
A spokesman for the US Attorney's Office, Bob Troester, said the investigation is ongoing but that Durham is the only person who has been arrested in the case.
One of his attorneys, Laura Puente, indicated the defense may request a later trial date because of the time required to travel to Africa to conduct interviews. Following the hearing, Durham's lead attorney, Stephen Jones, said he plans to send investigators to Kenya.
Durham's family members, including his parents, left the courtroom without comment.
Matthew Lane Durham, 19, was indicted on three felony counts by a federal grand jury on Tuesday that accused him of traveling from Oklahoma City to Kenya to sexually abuse children at the Upendo Children's Home. The orphanage outside Nairobi specialises in assisting neglected Kenyan children by providing them with food, housing, clothes and academic and religious instruction.
Durham was also indicted for illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and aggravated sexual abuse. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
An affidavit filed in federal court says Durham wrote and signed a statement acknowledging the sexual misconduct, which an Upendo official provided to the US Embassy in Nairobi.
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A spokesman for the US Attorney's Office, Bob Troester, said the investigation is ongoing but that Durham is the only person who has been arrested in the case.
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One of his attorneys, Laura Puente, indicated the defense may request a later trial date because of the time required to travel to Africa to conduct interviews. Following the hearing, Durham's lead attorney, Stephen Jones, said he plans to send investigators to Kenya.
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Durham's family members, including his parents, left the courtroom without comment.
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