(WV)
ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO]
June 4, 2026
By Dale Chamberlain
The criminal case has been stayed for a former West Virginia youth pastor facing numerous charges of child sex abuse so that prosecutors can investigate the claims of a new report from a previously unknown alleged victim.
John Radcliff was initially arrested in September 2024 and charged with more than 100 counts.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Radcliff was first arrested for incidents of child sex abuse that were alleged to have occurred between 2018 and 2019. After his arrest, more alleged victims came forward, and a sprawling investigation across several counties ensued, resulting in more charges for crimes alleged to have occurred between 1987 and 2003.
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Court documents did not disclose where Radcliff served as a youth pastor but said that he was “a preacher and led a youth ministry” and that he was “viewed as a father figure” by the victims.
Radcliff is accused of abusing multiple girls, beginning when they were just 3 or 4 years old. Several of the alleged victims are Radcliff’s own nieces.
All of the girls, who are now adults, told investigators that Radcliff made them perform sexual acts on him and sexually assaulted them in other ways throughout their childhoods.
One victim said that when she was 8 years old, Radcliff put her hand down his pants and “began ‘teaching her’ how to stimulate a man.” Other victims claim that Radcliff forced them to perform oral sex on him.
Some of the victims alleged that Radcliff’s wife, Kathy, had knowledge of the abuse. One victim alleged that the couple showed her and another child a pornographic film and performed sex acts while the children were in the room.
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Authorities identified alleged victims in the West Virginian counties of Lewis, Harrison, Braxton, and Nicholas.
Kathy Radcliff was arrested alongside John Radcliff in 2024. Her case has also been stayed. John and Kathy are now divorced.
John Radcliff’s case was stayed at the request of the prosecution, according to WBOY, after the investigating officer in Radcliff’s case reported learning of another alleged victim who lives out of state. Prosecutors requested time to follow up with the alleged victim and gather evidence with the intent of bringing forth additional charges.
Radcliff’s defense did not object to the request, and it was approved by the judge.
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Radcliff is now set to be tried in October.