Ga. Religious Sect Founder Pleads Guilty

The Associated Press/January 24, 2003

Macon, GA -- The founder of a religious sect in central Georgia admitted in federal court Thursday to having sex with children in the group and pleaded guilty to two charges.

If the court accepts a plea agreement, Malachi York will serve 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

York allegedly transported minors across state lines for sex after the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors settled in rural Putnam County. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transport of minors for the purpose of engaging in sex acts and a count of trying to evade financial reporting requirements.

York is scheduled to stand trial Tuesday on state charges, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Moultrie Jr. said Thursday that York has reached a similar plea deal with Georgia. A hearing in the state's case has been set for Friday.