AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. – In Washtenaw County, a church is rocked by child sexual abuse allegations after its worship leader is arrested.
Zachary Radcliff, 29, faces 11 charges and is being held on a $3 million bond.
Michigan State Police say the investigation has identified multiple victims who were between the ages of 12 to 17 years old at the time of the reported crimes. In a Tuesday afternoon update, investigators shared some of the alleged offenses that happened as early as 2011.
“We were blindsided,” said Christopher Butson, pastor of Lincoln Community Methodist Church. The church has a rental agreement with Oakwood Church where Radcliff served as the music and youth director. Oakwood Church has ties to Saline but holds its services in Augusta Township.
State police arrested the 29-year-old man after launching an investigation Oct. 2 following information about the church leader.
Radcliff faces the following charges:
- One count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the first degree (felony)
- Two counts of Aggravated Child Sexually Abusive Activity (felony)
- Two counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity (felony)
- Five counts of Using a Computer / Internet to Commit a Crime (felony)
- One count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime with a maximum punishment greater than 20 years or life (felony)
Court records reveal he was initially charged with four counts of child abuse and one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree in June 2014.
It’s unclear why the music and youth director was arraigned for his 2014 charges 10 years later on Sunday.
The headlines stunned the Ypsilanti-area.
“The church in general – the people who put trust in it, it was just a huge breach of trust, I think for that community,” said Lynne Kochmanski.
In a lengthy statement, Oakwood Church shared it fired Radcliff on Oct. 12.
It wrote in part, “The safety and protection of the individuals in our church is what is paramount to us. We are devoted to doing what we can for the care of the victims of these crimes.”
Oakwood Church shared that everyone in the ministry working with children and young adults undergoes background checks. Radcliff is the son of the senior pastor.
Megan Montano said she hopes the counseling services Oakwood Church is providing will be done by an outside party.
“There needs to be some sort of…I guess, checks because it keeps happening within the church,” Montano said.
Meanwhile, Butson told Local 4 investigators have not shared whether any of the allegations happened on its property.
He’s praying for the victims and their families, he said. Yet, he cautions families to be aware.
“Every church and every organization involved with children needs to review those child protective policies and ensure that they’re followed without exception,” he said.