Former NC Sunday school teacher gets up to 109 years in prison for rape of children

A Johnston County man who taught Sunday school has been found guilty of rape and other sexual crimes, the district attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Jonathan David Young, 38, was convicted Monday of rape, sex offense and taking indecent liberties with children.

The charges involved three children and took place from 2003 to 2014, according to a news release from Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson.

Young was sentenced to a minimum of 87 years and a maximum of 109 years in prison, according to the release.

“Our hearts go out to the brave survivors who had the courage to disclose and testify in this case,” Jackson said in a statement. “Everyone in our community owes them a debt of gratitude. Their courage in the face of such harsh judgment and scrutiny was amazing.”

When the incidents occurred, the youngest victim was 5 years old and the oldest was 14, Jackson told The News & Observer.

Many of the offenses happened at Firstborn Baptist Church in Benson where Young served as a Sunday school teacher for several years, the release stated.

The trial lasted two weeks and the jury heard from two additional witnesses who were sexually abused by Young when they were young, according to the release.

Young was first arrested for the crimes in July 2018, according to a report by ABC11, The N&O’s media partner.