EDMOND, Okla. – An Oklahoma teen accused of raping orphaned children went before a judge Friday.
Last month, 19-year-old Matthew Durham was arrested after authorities in Kenya claimed he molested and raped orphans during a mission trip, according to Oklahoma’s KFOR-TV.
Matthew Durham, 19, allegedly confessed to sexually assaulting several children at an orphanage in Kenya, police said. (Credit: KFOR)
According to court records, officials claim Durham raped boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 9 during a mission trip to a Kenyan orphanage.
He is facing four charges for alleged illicit sexual acts.
KFOR-TV reported, according to court records, Durham confessed to raping several young girls, forcing some boys to perform oral sex on him and even making other children watch.
However, defense attorneys say those confessions were coerced.
They claim the orphanage withheld Durham’s food, passport and care for the children until he confessed.
Friday’s testimony also took a bizarre turn.
According to court testimony, prosecutors said Durham told a missionary friend that he had a “demon” inside him that was named “Luke.”
Prosecutors claim Durham said “Luke” told him to touch the children and he’s had the temptation all his life.
Durham’s defense attorneys said the orphanage made him say he had a demon inside of him before signing the confession.
Durham will be in court again Monday for a detention hearing.
Next week, the grand jury will meet about the case.
If he is convicted of the charges, Durham faces a possible life-in-prison sentence.
MORE: See the full story from Oklahoma’s KFOR-TV
