Alleged victims of John W. Radcliff II, a former youth pastor charged with nearly 200 sex crimes against children, are coming forward, some for the first time in decades.
Radcliff, 57, was arrested last week and faces charges including sexual assault, sexual abuse, and incest in four West Virginia counties, state police said.
Many of the allegations date back to 1986–1996 and involve five of his nieces, who first reported the abuse in 2004, but no charges were filed.
Wendra Pullen, one of his nieces, alleges she was just 3 years old when the abuse began and told local outlet WDTV: "Seeing him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs was probably the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life."
Carla Rinehart, another of his nieces, told WDTV: "I thought it [the abuse] was normal until I knew it wasn't," describing the moment when multiple relatives disclosed similar experiences.
The alleged victims assert they have waited decades for justice. "I have been ready to testify for thirty years," Pullen said
Radcliff was previously released on bond after a September arrest stemming from an unrelated 2018–2019 complaint in Nicholas County. His nieces and cousins returned to law enforcement to support the new victim.
In a statement shared with Newsweek, West Virginia State Police spokesperson Captain R. A. Maddy said the investigation is ongoing and more victims are coming forward.
Maddy said Trooper R.C. Watson started the investigation on October 28 of this year, and that interviews have been conducted and statements have been obtained from alleged victims.
"This information was used to establish probable cause and obtain arrest warrants," he said.
Radcliff's lawyer, James Hawkins Jr., told The New York Times the accusations are based on uncorroborated victim testimony. "We look forward to the opportunity of vigorously defending the case and at the conclusion, we are confident that Mr. Radcliff will be exonerated," he said.
Hawkins said the allegations were unrelated to Radcliff's work as a youth pastor and said the 2004 investigation "determined there was not enough evidence to proceed." He said his client was facing a life sentence with more than 100 years.
Newsweek has contacted Hawkins via telephone for comment..
Radcliff's wife, Kathy Radcliff, 52, faces a charge for allegedly knowing about the abuse and is free on bond.
Radcliff, who worked as a youth pastor at multiple West Virginia churches, is in custody on a $1.7 million bond.
The case will proceed to a grand jury in March or July, while investigators seek clarity on why the 2004 case was not prosecuted.
State police urge anyone with information to contact Trooper R.C. Watson at the Weston Detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
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