Northern Indiana man gets 94-year child molestation sentence

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – A judge who sentenced a South Bend man to 94 years in prison on child molestation charges has ordered him to serve 85 percent of that term because of the two victims’ “tender” ages.

Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Grayson was convicted in March of three counts of child molestation and other charges alleging that he engaged in sexual acts with the children, ages 2 and 4, between August 2012 and September 2013.

While Grayson had no criminal history, the St. Joseph County judge who sentenced him Friday noted the victims’ “tender years,” the psychological harm the primary victim has suffered and other aggravating factors.

The judge also determined that Grayson is a credit-restricted felon under Indiana law and will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence.