(MI)
MLive [Walker MI]
October 22, 2024
By Jordyn Pair
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – The lead pastor of an Ypsilanti-area church and father of a man accused of criminal sexual conduct against children said he was “blindsided” by the allegations.
“I have been as freaked out as everyone else has been,” said the Rev. Frank Radcliff, the lead pastor of Oakwood Church, 9074 Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti.
Zachary Joseph Radcliff, the 29-year-old son of Frank Radcliff, was arraigned on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two charges of aggravated child sexually abusive activity, two charges of child sexually abusive activity and six charges of using the internet to communicate with another to commit a crime. He faces up to life in prison.
Zachary Radcliff served as the worship director and interim youth pastor for Oakwood Church.
Church leadership was notified of a potential incident in early October, leading them to suspend Zachary Radcliff with pay while the church conducted an internal investigation, Frank Radcliff said. His son was fired from his position with the church on Oct. 12 after additional information was revealed, he said.
Zachary Radcliff is accused of soliciting sexually abusive material from a minor, Michigan State Police said on Monday, Oct. 21.
“The instant we found that out, he was dismissed,” Frank Radcliff said, adding he encouraged his son to turn himself in to police.
Frank Radcliff did not have additional information on what it was police uncovered during their investigation, including from whom his son may have solicited photos or what the photos depicted. Penal codes in court documents indicate Zachary Radcliff is accused of producing child sexually abusive material, including material with a prepubescent child, a video or more than 100 images.
He believes the incidents, which court records date back as far as June 2014, involved only teenagers, not young children, Frank Radcliff said. Police could not confirm the ages of the minors involved.
Zachary Radcliff began working in the church’s music department roughly eight years ago and took on the role of interim youth director in 2022, Frank Radcliff said. In 2014, his son would have been 19 and attending college, he added.
The 29-year-old performed his song “I’ll Stand” at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2019, according to a release from Liberty University, Radcliff’s alma mater. He attended the Virginia school from 2013 to 2017, according to the university.
The church plans to have counseling sessions available for its college and secondary education groups, with the option to speak to counselors individually, Frank Radcliff said.
Congregation members did not previously come forward with allegations against Zachary Radcliff, although there have been a few members who had issue with his role as worship director, Frank Radcliff said.
“The unfortunate thing about somebody that is living a double life is that you are unaware,” he said.
The church has been cooperative with the investigation, police said.
Zachary Radcliff was arraigned Sunday, Oct. 20, before 14A-1 District Court Magistrate Elisha Fink, according to court records. Fink gave him a $3 million bond.
He is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail and is next set to appear in court Oct. 31.
“We are just truly heart-broken, and our concern is about the individuals that were hurt in this,” Frank Radcliff said. “We are doing our level best.”
Anyone with information about the ongoing investigation is asked to call Det. Sgt. Dan Drewyor with the Michigan State Police at 810-227-1052 or drewyord@michigan.gov or Trooper Douglas Ryan at 517-899-6174.