Former Picayune Youth Minister sentenced to 25 years

On Monday, a former Picayune youth minister was sentenced to 25 years in prison for two sexual assaults that occurred in Hancock County in 2016.

Circuit Court Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced David Matthew Thorne, age 36, who served as a worship and youth pastor at Goodyear Baptist Church in Picayune.

Thorne pleaded guilty in August to one count of sexual battery and one count of touching a child for lustful purposes.

District Attorney Joel Smith stated that Thorne will have to serve the entire 25 year sentence without the possibility of early release.

He is facing other related charges that are pending trial in Pearl River County.