BURLINGTON (KY)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
January 10, 2025
By Sheila Stogsdill
A Kentucky worship leader associated with Ken Ham’s Creation Museum in northern Kentucky is in jail after confessing to sexually abusing a teenager for several years, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said.
Michael Howard, 36, is charged with 40 counts first-degree sexual abuse and 40 counts of third-degree sodomy, according to the sheriff’s office. He remains held in the Boone County jail on $250,000 bail.
Howard “made admissions regarding his ‘three-to-four year’ relationship,” the sheriff’s office said. He is accused of abusing the male for four years, beginning in 2019 when the alleged victim was 15 years old and worked for Howard. The sheriff’s office said that’s when Howard began sending the then-teenager sexual messages.
Howard is listed on social media as part of TrueSong, the resident artist of the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, founded by Answers in Genesis CEO Ken Hamm.
The Roys Report (TRR) reached out to Answers in Genesis for comment about Howard.
Mark Looy, Answers in Genesis CCO, replied, “The ministry does not generally comment on personnel matters, but we can confirm that this person is no longer with us. In fact, his departure occurred before we became aware of the investigation against him.”
Looy continued, “To respect the privacy of those involved and because this is a matter currently under investigation, we are not in a position to comment further, other than to ask for prayers for all the individuals involved, especially the possible victims.”
The sheriff’s office said Howard and the victim also attended the same church. Social media sites show Howard attended Florence Baptist Temple in Burlington, Kentucky, where he served on the worship team.
When contacted and asked if Howard was still affiliated with the church’s worship team, a church official declined to comment.
However, Howard’s name has been removed from the church’s website.