SBC Youth Pastor Charged With 200 Sex Crimes Claims Innocence, Vows to Fight Charges
A former West Virginia youth pastor who has been charged with nearly 200 sex crimes, including sexual abuse and incest with multiple relatives, has pledged his innocence and vowed to fight the charges in court.
John W. Radcliff II, 57, is the former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Bolair, WV, as well as Nettie Baptist Church in Nettie, WV, the latter of which he resigned from after his initial arrest in November. He’s been accused of sexually abusing at least five of his nieces over a couple of decades, according to WDTV:
Radcliff began abusing multiple young girls when they were just 3 and 4 years old until they were around 12 years old — many of whom are Radcliff’s nieces. All of the girls, who are now adults, told police about numerous incidents that occurred in Lewis County, in which Radcliff made them perform sexual acts on him and sexually assaulted them in other ways throughout their childhoods…
One of the victims told police about a time Radcliff, along with his wife, Kathy Radcliff, made her and her cousin, who was around the same age as her, come into their bedroom and watch a pornographic movie with them while the couple performed sexual acts on one another. The girl said she ran out of the room to hide, and Kathy later came to find her to ask her if she was okay.
The girls made a report in 2004 about the abuse, but it was never followed up on and no charges were filed at the time. Yet 20 years later, an investigation ensued.
While wife Kathy was initially charged with “displaying obscene matter to a minor and accessory, as multiple victims told police Kathy was aware of everything that was happening at all times,” the case against her was dismissed because the law against showing children pornography wasn’t in effect in 1987-2006 when the crimes were said to have occurred.
A spokesperson for the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists said in a statement that, “The allegations against John Radcliff and his wife, Kathy, are unthinkably horrific. We are deeply grieved by this news. The WVCSB’s primary concern is for the care and protection of those impacted by this situation. Our Caring Well Task Force is working closely with the association to offer guidance and support to the affected churches.”
Radcliff’s lawyer, James Hawkins Jr, insisted that “There was no evidence presented that corroborates any of these statements” and that he and his client “look forward to the opportunity of vigorously defending the case.”
Radcliff is being held on a $1.7M bond while his wife Kathy is free on bond. If convicted, he faces more than 100 years behind bars.
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