OREGON
Dalles Chronicle
By Neita Cecil
As of Thursday, June 16, 2016
A police interview with the senior pastor of First Christian Church showed that church officials had “expressed concerns” about the behavior of a youth leader who was eventually convicted of sexually abusing teen girls.
Michael Cele Stephens, 20, was sentenced to 15 years in prison early this year for sexually abusing six teen girls. He met his victims through the church youth group and 4-H.
One of his victims has sued First Christian Church for $5 million, alleging the church was negligent in not heeding and investigating warning signs that Stephens was grooming girls for sexual abuse.
Stephens befriended his victims, eventually exchanging sexual texts and photos.
He abused them at their homes, their relative’s homes or his relative’s homes, and in a parking lot.
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