NEW YORK, N.Y. (BP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has announced a charge against former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) interim provost Matt Queen today (May 21).
In a statement, investigators allege one count of falsifying records “in connection with falsified notes Queen produced to the FBI related to an ongoing federal investigation.”
Queen, 49, now lead pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., was arraigned today, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The charges stem from when Queen was interim provost at SWBTS.
“Matthew Queen, an interim Provost, allegedly failed to inform the FBI of a conspiracy to destroy evidence related to the ongoing investigation of sexual misconduct and instead produced falsified notes to investigators,” said James Smith, FBI assistant director in charge, in a press release. “Queen’s alleged actions deliberately violated a court order and delayed justice for the sexual abuse victims. The FBI will never tolerate those who intentionally lie and mislead our investigation in an attempt to conceal their malicious behavior.”
Baptist Press’ attempts to reach Queen were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The seminary issued the following statement:
“The indictment against Matt Queen, a former seminary administrator and professor, stems from a report in November 2022 of an alleged sexual abuse committed by a Texas Baptist College student. Within hours of becoming aware of an arrest warrant for the student on January 24, 2023, the seminary facilitated the arrest of the accused student, who was suspended and later withdrew from the college.
“When the institution became aware of the original report and the later responses of certain staff, the seminary disclosed the matter to the Department of Justice, as required by a DOJ subpoena. The seminary has repeatedly informed staff of their duty to fulfill the obligations of the subpoena. The seminary has and will continue to cooperate fully with the DOJ in its investigation of sexual abuse.
“After the seminary learned of Queen’s actions in June 2023, he was immediately placed on administrative leave and resigned as interim provost. All employees alleged to have acted improperly in this matter are no longer employed by the seminary.
“Southwestern Seminary takes seriously its moral and legal duties to care for victims of sexual abuse. The actions alleged in the indictment are antithetical to the values of the seminary.”
The DOJ first informed Southern Baptist Convention leaders of its intent to investigate in August 2022.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Brandon Porter serves as associate vice president for convention news at the SBC Executive Committee.)
