WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – A Washtenaw County worship leader was charged in connection to multiple child sexual abuse allegations.
Who is the worship leader?
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Zachary Radcliff was a music and youth director of Oakwood Church in Augusta Township.
Radcliff was suspended with pay when the church learned about the allegations. However, the church said in a statement that they fired him after learning new information in the investigation.
Charges Radcliff faces
Radcliff faces 11 charges and is being held on a $3 million bond. Here is a breakdown of those 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.
Oakwood Church releases statement
In a lengthy statement, Oakwood Church 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.
Community responds
“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.
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.
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.
Ongoing investigation
Anyone with information should contact Trooper Ryan of the Michigan State Police Brighton Post at 517-899-6174 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online.