Church youth leader charged with criminal sexual conduct in Washtenaw County

AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A man who is a music and youth director at a Washtenaw County church faces multiple charges of child sexual abuse.

Zachary Radcliff, 29, was charged with criminal sexual conduct and possession of child sexually abusive material, among other charges, Michigan State Police said.

Radcliff is an employee of Oakwood Church in Augusta Township and the son of the senior pastor.

MSP said the investigation began on October 2 when it was discovered that Radcliff had solicited sexually abusive material from a minor. According to investigators, several victims have been identified.

Police said church leaders cooperated with the investigation. The church says Radcliff has been suspended pending further investigation.

Oakwood Church released a statement:

We have received very disturbing news about our music and youth leader, Zachary Radcliff, who is also the son of our senior pastor, Frank Radcliff. Talking to him, we realized that there was more to the situation than was just being expressed. He was suspended from duty on October 3 pending further investigation. Further information was provided to us on Saturday, October 12th at 4:00 p.m. That evening and Sunday morning the pastoral staff met with our church. Zach was fired from his job without pay effective Saturday, October 12th.

State Police were notified by the families involved and our church staff. We are unaware of the full extent of his crimes and are doing all we can to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.

The information we received was shocking. We're told Zachary requested inappropriate photos and possibly videos from teenagers. We heard other stories too. This information tore our hearts apart. The safety and protection of the people in our church are our top priority. We are committed to doing what we can to care for the victims of these crimes.

All of our employees and people who work with our children, young people and adults undergo background checks. We are doing our best to ensure everyone is protected.

We offer counseling services for all young people and adults affected by this crime. What is being done will be made available to our church family in the coming days. Just like you, our hearts are broken too. We desire to serve our Master in this community with the understanding that the church family should be one of the safest places in which we can engage. Some of that trust has been broken. We are committed to complete transparency and will do our best to assist with this investigation.

If you have any information that could assist in this investigation, please contact D/Sgt. Dan Drewyor, Michigan State Police, Brighton Post. 810-227-1051 or [email protected].

If you would like to speak with one of our pastors or staff about this, please call us at 734-944-1215 or contact us at [email protected].

MSP encourages any other potential victims to come forward. You can contact Trooper Ryan at the Brighton Post at 517-899-6174.

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