Anti-LGBTQ+ church leader allegedly sexually abused kids. He’s facing 11 felony counts.

A former leader at a Michigan church has been charged with 11 felony counts related to alleged child sexually abusive activity.

As Michigan Live reported earlier this week, 29-year-old Zachary Joseph Radcliff was arraigned on October 20 and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, child sexually abusive activity, aggravated child sexually abusive activity, and using the internet to communicate with another to commit a crime.

Related:

Catholic Church sentences priest who they believe abused children to “life of prayer”

“He is to live in contemplation of his sins and pray for all of those affected by his conduct,” the Church said of the retired pastor’s “punishment.”

Washtenaw County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Victoria Burton-Harris confirmed that Radcliff was a church leader at Oakwood Church in Augusta Township. According to CBS News, he is the church’s former music and youth director as well as the son of Oakwood’s senior pastor, Frank Radcliff.

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Michigan State Police said in a statement that an investigation began on October 2 after they received information indicating that Radcliffe had “solicited child sexually abusive material from a minor.” Police say they obtained warrants and searched Zachary Radcliff’s home and office.

Michigan Live reports that penal codes cited in court documents indicate that Zachary Radcliff is accused of producing child sexual abuse material, including with a prepubescent child. Police have reportedly identified multiple victims, ranging from 12 to 17 years old, with the alleged crimes dating as far back as 2011, according to CBS News.

According to a statement on Oakwood Church’s website, church leadership “received some very disturbing news” about Zachary Radcliff on or before October 3.

“We realized while talking to him that there was more to the situation than was being expressed,” the statement reads. “The State Police were notified by families that were involved and our church staff. We are not aware of the full extent of his crimes, and we are doing everything we can to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.”

In its statement, the church described the “information” it received about Zachary Radcliff as “shocking.”

“We were told that Zachary had been soliciting inappropriate photos and possibly videos from teens,” the statement reads. “We have also heard other stories.”

According to the statement, Radcliff was suspended with pay on October 3 before being fired on October 12. Michigan Live reports that he is being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $3 million bond and is expected to appear in court again on October 31. He faces life in prison.

Police said that Oakwood Church leadership “have been cooperative and transparent throughout the investigation,” which is ongoing.  

As author and blogger Hemant Mehta notes in his Friendly Atheist newsletter, Radcliff, a graduate of the anti-LGBTQ+ Liberty University, co-founded by anti-LGBTQ+ televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr., is an avid Donald Trump supporter. He performed original music at the 2019 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), and his Instagram account features photos of himself with former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., Donald Trump Jr., and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Mehta also notes that Radcliff sat with his father for an October 2022 interview with Detroit Christian Radio host Chris Ayotte, in which Frank Radcliff agreed with Ayotte that “gender identity ideology… is from the pit of Hell because it is confusing our children.” Frank Radcliffe responded that instead of “sitting down and saying, ‘This lifestyle that you’re choosing is immoral. It’s wrong.’ … we’ll literally do child abuse on that kid.”

According to Mehta, Radcliff can be heard agreeing with his father throughout the interview.

As the Republicans continue to push the false, anti-LGBTQ+ “groomer” narrative, Mehta writes that “kids would have been infinitely safer listening to drag queens read stories at libraries than attending youth group” at the Radcliffs’ church.

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