A former Ypsilanti, Mich., youth choir director originally arrested last October on 30 counts of sexual abuse received 30 more after testimony during a preliminary examination March 4.
Zachary Radcliff, 29, was the music and youth director at Oakwood Church when Michigan State Police arrested him on Oct. 2, 2024, following a report he had solicited child sexually abusive material from a minor.
Radcliff was suspended from the church – where his father, Frank, is the senior pastor – with pay on Oct. 3. He was eventually fired, without pay, on Oct. 12.
“This information has ripped our hearts apart,” the church said in a statement. “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.
“Every one of our staff members and individuals working with our children, teens, and adults go through background checks. We do our level best to make sure all are protected.”
Several young men testified against Radcliff in the preliminary examination. Victims range from 12 to 17 years old, and the allegations date back to 2011.
The 60 counts are related to first-degree criminal sexual conduct, child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime.
In 2012, the most recent year Oakwood submitted an Annual Church Profile report, the church recorded 500 members and 340 in average worship attendance.
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are confidential.
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