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Matthew Ferguson, of Zuni, was sentenced Monday, May 19, in Southampton Circuit Court to seven years in a penitentiary after pleading guilty to taking indecent liberties with a child younger than 15 and to using a computer to solicit a minor.

These results of Ferguson’s case were conveyed by the Virginia Courts Case Information System.

The system indicates that Ferguson pleaded guilty on March 4 to the Class 6 Felony of using a computer to solicit a minor. He was sentenced May 19 to one year for this crime.

The system also notes that Ferguson pleaded guilty on March 4 to two counts of the amended felony charge of indecent liberties with a child that is less than 15 years of age. For these counts, he was sentenced May 19 to 10 years apiece, with seven years suspended for each count. 

The listings in the system for each of the indecent liberties charges against Ferguson indicate that the corresponding sentences run consecutively with another.

The system noted that the indecent liberties charges were amended from charges of aggravated sexual battery with a victim less than 13 years of age. The system also noted in each listing for the indecent liberties charges that Ferguson has also been sentenced to five years of supervised probation.

The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) shared a news release on Feb. 28, 2024, noting that on Jan. 18, 2024, the SCSO received notification of an alleged juvenile sexual assault, and the investigation determined that the incident occurred in the 27000 block of Smiths Ferry Road.

The release stated that as a result of the investigation, Ferguson, 32, of Zuni, was arrested on Feb. 7, 2024, and charged with one count of violation of the Code of Virginia 18.2-374.1:1 possession of child pornography; two counts of violation of the Code of Virginia 18.2-374.3 use of communication systems to solicit a minor; three counts of violation of Code of Virginia 18.2-67.3 aggravated sexual battery of a minor less than 13 years of age; and one count of violation of Code of Virginia 18.2-67.4 sexual battery.

The Virginia Courts Case Information System indicates that the prosecutor decided to abandon the charge of sexual battery; abandon one of the charges of aggravated sexual battery of a minor less than 13 (while amending the other two); abandon the charge of child pornography possession; and abandon one of the charges of using a computer to solicit a minor.