From Pulpit to Prison: Church Leader Gets 25 Years for Child Sexual Abuse

Cobb County, GA – A case that began with a mother’s urgent call for help has ended with a former church leader receiving a lengthy prison sentence for sexually abusing a child he met through church activities.

Marcus Kendall Turner, 34, a former leader at a Cobb County church, pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts related to child sexual abuse spanning Cobb and Cherokee counties. As part of a negotiated plea entered Feb. 9, Turner was sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by lifetime probation.

Prosecutors say Turner exploited his leadership position at Worship With Wonders in Powder Springs to gain access to a teenage boy, initiating contact through a newly formed church youth group known as “Hangout Life Crew.” What began as mentorship quickly escalated into private meetings, constant communication, and ultimately sexual exploitation.

According to court records, Turner used text messages and phone calls to solicit and exchange sexually explicit material with the child. The abuse culminated in multiple incidents at Turner’s home in Cherokee County during August and September 2023.

The investigation began only after the victim’s mother contacted 911. Authorities later confirmed that church leadership had been aware of the allegations but did not immediately notify law enforcement. Cobb County Police initiated the case, with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office joining once it became clear the abuse crossed county lines.

Turner pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated child molestation, child molestation, sexual exploitation of children, obscene internet contact with a child, and first-degree cruelty to children.

During sentencing, the victim and his mother delivered emotional impact statements, detailing how the abuse shattered their trust and permanently altered their lives. “Parents place enormous trust in faith leaders,” said Assistant District Attorney Leyna Pope. “That trust was weaponized here. Silence and delay only compounded the harm.”

Jennifer L. Davis formally imposed the sentence, which includes strict sex-offender conditions, lifetime registration, and a permanent ban on contact with minors. Turner is also prohibited from any contact with the victim or the victim’s family.

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway emphasized the broader message of the case. “This outcome reflects the courage of a mother who refused to be ignored and a child who came forward despite immense fear,” Treadaway said. “Predators often rely on positions of trust and institutional silence. We will continue to pursue justice aggressively when children are harmed.”

A church representative did not respond to requests for comment.