This report was updated after it was first published.
Former seminary professor Matt Queen has been sentenced to one year of probation, six months of house arrest and a $2,000 fine after being convicted of lying to federal investigators during an investigation into sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention.
The investigation into the SBC included Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s handling of a report of alleged sexual assault by a student.
Queen pled guilty this past October to making false statements to federal investigators. He initially pled innocent to a charge of obstructing justice in the sexual abuse case involving an accused student.
RELATED: To read more stories on this case, click here.
Queen’s attorney, Sam Schmidt, told Baptist Press his client faced a maximum of five years in prison related to the falsified notes that Queen allegedly made in early 2023 over a reported case of sexual abuse at Southwestern.
“[Dr. Queen] is thankful that he will not serve time in prison and will seek to use his time under home confinement to help others,” Schmidt said.
Last month, Schmidt reportedly filed a document on Queen’s behalf containing letters from family and friends extolling the former pastor’s character and detailing the impact the investigation had taken on his physical, mental and emotional health.
SWBTS releases statement
Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, released a statement on Wednesday (March 5) in response to the sentencing:
“Since November 2022, Southwestern Seminary has fully cooperated with the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention’s response to sexual abuse. With the criminal justice process now complete regarding the charges against Matt Queen, we are hopeful that the investigation will soon reach its conclusion, allowing all parties to move forward. Our prayers for Matt Queen and his family as well as all others involved in this process continue.”
The seminary added, “Southwestern Seminary remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community, taking every possible measure to prevent sexual abuse and harassment.”
Queen served as a professor at Southwestern Seminary from August 2010 until June 2023. He was accused of giving the FBI falsified information in 2023 about reported sexual misconduct by a student of the seminary’s undergraduate-level Texas Baptist College in November 2022. Queen served as SWBTS’ interim provost from January to June 2023.
Queen was named pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, in early 2024, and was put on administrative leave while the investigation continued. Queen resigned as pastor of the church in November.
To read other stories on this case, see links below:
Former Southern Baptist pastor, a convicted felon, avoids jail time in feds’ abuse inquiry —Tennessean
Queen given time served, 1-year supervised release, fined -Baptist Press
Matt Queen sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement -Baptist News Global
Statement on sentencing of Matt Queen —Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Queen attorney asks for probation, fine as sentence date approaches —Baptist Press
EDITOR’S NOTE — The report was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting by Baptist Press.
