An Amherst pastor convicted of molesting a teenage boy he once tutored was sentenced to 10 years probation on March 14.
Kenneth Larry Payne, 70, was arrested in May 2006 after a 17-year-old reported Payne's actions to authorities. Payne was charged with sodomy and taking indecent liberties with a minor.
In January, Circuit Judge J. Michael Gamble found him guilty on the indecent liberties charge after a daylong bench trial.
Payne was pastor at New Prospect Church in Amherst County for 14 years, until recently retiring. He met the boy through the Homebound Learning Program offered by Amherst County Public Schools. Homebound Learning is for students who struggle in a traditional school environment. He was dismissed from that job after his arrest.
Payne was sentenced to five years in prison with all of that time suspended. He could face serving that time if he violates terms of his probation. Along with the probation sentencing, Payne is required to register as a sex offender and pay a $1,000 fine and $230 for the victim's counseling costs.