VALDOSTA —
A Lowndes county jury convicted a Lowndes County man earlier this week on molestation charges, according to the Southern District Attorney’s Office.
Following a two-day trial in Lowndes County Superior Court, Marlon Matta, 49, of Valdosta was found guilty of aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, and three counts of child molestation, according to a statement from Southern District Attorney J. David Miller.
Southern Circuit Judge Richard M. Cowart
scheduled Matta’s sentencing for Sept. 11. Matta faces a minimum of 25 years in prison for the two aggravated counts and five to 20 years each for the three child molestation counts, according to the D.A.’s office.
The charges and this week’s trial stem from a child being molested during a three-year period while his parents attended a Bible study at Matta’s house.
“Testimony at trial revealed that Matta would lure the child into his bedroom and make the child perform various sex acts as well as view pornography,” according to the D.A.’s office. “After enduring several years of abuse, the child told his mother, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office was contacted.”
The child shared more details during a Lowndes County Child Advocacy Center forensic interview. Lowndes County Sheriff’s Detective Alicia Brantley investigated the case. She discovered pornographic material during a search of Matta’s house.
The victim’s mother, their pastor and Matta’s ex-wife testified during the trial, saying the child shared details of the abuse.
“The child then took the stand and testified about the horrific abuse that he had endured for three years,” according to the D.A’s office.
Following two hours of deliberation, jurors found Matta guilty on all counts.
Assistant Southern District Attorney Meredith Brasher prosecuted the case.
“Cases of this nature are extremely serious, and I am thankful for the victim’s bravery in reporting the crime and the citizens of Lowndes County for returning this verdict,” Brasher said.
Matta was represented by the public defender’s office.
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