Sex Trial for Clackamas Pastor Begins

KOIN
April 13, 2015

http://koin.com/2015/04/13/sex-trial-for-clackamas-pastor-begins/

Michael Sperou, the pastor of a Clackamas church, faces sex charges (June 2014, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of a pastor accused of sexual assault.

Michael Sperou, 64, faces three felonies for unlawful sexual penetration. He is listed on the website of BcResources.net as a senior pastor and founding member of the North Clackamas Bible Community.

Police said Sperou’s arrest stems from a series of 1997 police reports involving juvenile girls who lived within the Southeast Bible Church community, which is now known as the North Clackamas Bible Community.

The churches have operated in Southeast Portland and Happy Valley beginning in 1980.

Michal Mitchell, Sperou’s niece and a member of the church, told KOIN 6 News in June 2014 there is no physical church. Instead, members move from home to home. She also said her uncle is innocent.

However, a former member of the North Clackamas Bible Community, who did not want to be identified, told KOIN 6 News at that time the allegations come as no surprise, claiming the church operates like a cult.

The woman also said other church leaders were abusive, too.