Crime: 2000s, 
Crime city:
crime-city-ut-lindon, - Crime county:
UT - Utah,
- Crime state:
Utah,
- Convicted:
2010,
LDS positions: Unknown position, - During crime: Unknown position,
- LDS mission:
United States - Texas Dallas 1990-1992
- Alleged:
1 victim,
- Alleged crime scenes:
Perpetrator's workplace,
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Jail, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, - Alleged church actions: Unknown church action,
- AKA Matt Kennington
updated May 18, 2026 - request update | add info
Crime: 
Crime city:
Crime county:
Crime state:
LDS positions: 
Alleged:
Alleged crime scenes:
Criminal case(s): 
Matthew Kennington was a Mormon church member and high school teacher at Maeser Preparatory Academy in Lindon, Utah.
In 2011, Kennington was convicted of sex crimes in Utah.
According to court documents, Kennington was originally charged in 2010 with four counts of rape. The charging document was altered by hand to reflect changes to the charges from four counts of rape to four counts of forcible sexual abuse in the 2nd degree.
Kennington was charged/convicted with:
-FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE – 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony/ pleaded guilty
-FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE – 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony/ pleaded guilty
-FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE – 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony/ pleaded guilty
-FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE – 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony/ pleaded guilty
As of 2026, Kennington does not appear in the Utah sex offender registry. His case history in Utah’s online court document system does not mention sex offender registration; Floodlit’s research suggests that he was not required to register as a sex offender as part of his plea deal.
Scott W. Cameron, a former associate dean at Brigham Young University’s (BYU) J. Reuben Clark Law School, wrote a letter in support of Kennington to the judge. Cameron said of Kennington, “I have found him to be a man of principle and integrity.”
According to someone familiar with the case, Kennington was a teacher at Maeser Academy. They stated Kennington groomed a 16/17-year-old female student of his. They said that he was given warnings to stay away from a student, but continued to spend time alone with her. They also said he blamed his pornography addiction and depression for his reason to abuse his student.
Kennington was a Mormon missionary in Dallas, Texas from approximately 1990 to 1992.
If you have any information on Kennington’s LDS membership history, please contact us.
Have any info on this Mormon sex abuse case? Contact us.
Sources
- STATE OF UTAH vs. MATTHEW KENNINGTON CASE NUMBER 101403501 State Felony,
- AMERICAN FORK CITY vs. MATTHEW H KENNINGTON CASE NUMBER 101100530 Other Misdemeanor,
- Matthew H. Kennington,
- Matthew Kennington,
-
1. STATE OF UTAH vs. MATTHEW KENNINGTON CASE NUMBER 101403501 State Felony
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - PROVO DISTRICT COURT
UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
STATE OF UTAH vs. MATTHEW KENNINGTON
CASE NUMBER 101403501 State FelonyCHARGES
Charge 1 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: September 01, 2009
Plea: February 14, 2011 Guilty
Disposition: February 14, 2011 GuiltyCharge 2 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: September 01, 2009
Plea: February 14, 2011 Guilty
Disposition: February 14, 2011 GuiltyCharge 3 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: September 01, 2009
Plea: February 14, 2011 Guilty
Disposition: February 14, 2011 GuiltyCharge 4 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) -2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: September 01, 2009
Plea: February 14, 2011 Guilty
Disposition: February 14, 2011 GuiltySENTENCE PRISON
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
The prison term is suspended.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
The prison term is suspended.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
The prison term is suspended.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
The prison term is suspended.SENTENCE JAIL
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to a term of 270 day(s) in the Utah County Jail.ORDER OF PROBATION
The defendant is placed on probation for 36 month(s).
Probation is to be supervised by Adult Probation & Parole.
Defendant to serve 270 day(s) jail.
Defendant is to report to the Utah County Jail.
Defendant is to report by April 19, 2011 by 5.00 p.m..
Defendant is to pay a fine of 1272.00 which includes the surcharge. Interest may increase the final amount due.
Pay fine on or before April 18, 2014.PROBATION CONDITIONS
Defendant is ordered to report to Adult Probation and Parole and enter into an agreement and comply strictly with the terms of probation.
Defendant is ordered to obey all laws, State, Local and Federal, and have no further violations during the probation period.
Defendant is ordered to notify the Court and Adult Probation and Parole of a current address at all times, and is ordered to make him/herself available to Adult Probation and Parole and the court when requested to do so.
Defendant is ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution and/or supervision fees at the discretion of Adult Probation and Parole and/or by direction of the Court.
Defendant is ordered to continue with his/her current counseling.
Defendant is to report to Adult Probation and Parole within24 hours of his/her release from custody.
Defendant is ordered to comply with the Probation Violations and Rewards Matrix as directed by Adult Probation and Parole.
Defendant is ordered to have no contact with females underage 18 unless approved by Adult Probation and Parole. Defendant may have contact with his [REDACTED] until AP&P approves otherwise.
Defendant is ordered to report to Adult Probation and Parole by 5pm 4/19/11 to enter into probation agreement. -
2. AMERICAN FORK CITY vs. MATTHEW H KENNINGTON CASE NUMBER 101100530 Other Misdemeanor
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - PROVO DISTRICT COURT
UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
AMERICAN FORK CITY vs. MATTHEW H KENNINGTON
CASE NUMBER 101100530 Other MisdemeanorCHARGES
Charge 1 - 76-6-206 - CRIMINAL TRESPASS - Infraction
Offense Date: April 16, 2010
Location: BEEHIVE CLOTHING
Plea: April 28, 2010 Not Guilty
Disposition: June 21, 2010 Dismissed (w/o prej)Charge 2 - 76-10-2301 - CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF MINOR - Class BMisdemeanor
Offense Date: April 16, 2010
Location: BEEHIVE CLOTHING
Plea: April 28, 2010 Not Guilty
Disposition: June 21, 2010 Dismissed (w/o prej)06-21-2010 Charge 1 Disposition is Dismissed
05-16-2026 04:57 PM Page 2 of
CASE NUMBER: 101100530 Other Misdemeanor3
06-21-2010 Charge 2 Disposition is Dismissed
06-21-2010 Case Closed -
3. Matthew H. Kennington
Matthew H. Kennington - Utah
Date added: 10/18/2011Mugshots.com : 4311030
Birth date : 12/15/1970
Height : 6′ 0″ (1.83 m)
Weight : 185 lb (84 kg)
Gender : Male
Offender Number : 201470
Aliases:MATTHEW H. KENNINGTON
Photo Date : 12/12/2010
-
4. Matthew Kennington
Matthew Kennington
Last Updated: April 18th, 2026
Jail Location
Utah
55yo
Caucasian Male
180lbs (82kg)Date of birth: Dec 15, 1970
Hair: Bald
Eyes: Hazel
Registration: 1398172
Documented Aliases
MATTHEW H KENNINGTON
Known addresses
Provo, Utah 84606
Recent Arrests
Booking location: Utah County, UT
Other charges
Description: 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE/2ND DEGREE FELONY
Date convicted: Feb 14, 2011
Charges: N/A
Documents
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