BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - A former youth pastor is now facing nearly 100 sex charges against children in four North Central West Virginia counties.
John Radcliff, II, of Nicholas County, has been charged in Lewis, Harrison, Braxton and Nicholas counties for the sexual abuse of children that occurred between 1987 and 2003, according to West Virginia State Police.
Radcliff was originally arrested in Nicholas County in September for incidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019, which led to many victims being interviewed and a multi-county investigation.
According to court documents from Lewis County, Radcliff began abusing two young girls when they were just 3 and 4 years old — both of whom are Radcliff’s nieces. Both 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.
Kathy has also been charged in relation to the above-mentioned incident in Lewis County with displaying obscene matter to a minor and accessory, as the victim told police Kathy was aware of everything that was happening at all times.
Both John and Kathy are currently in the Central Regional Jail. In total, John’s bond is over $1.7 million in Lewis, Harrison and Braxton counties, while Kathy’s is set at $75,000 in Lewis.
Anyone that is or was a victim of these individuals or has information relating to this investigation is asking to contact TFC. R.C. Watson at the Weston Detachment of the West Virginia State Police at 304-269-0500 or 304-637-0200.
Radcliff is facing 98 total charges throughout the four counties, 77 of which were filed on Monday. He is facing the following charges in the following counties:
Lewis County
Radcliff was charged with seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, five counts of first-degree sexual assault, 12 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, five counts of incest and one count of displaying obscene matter to a minor for incidents that occurred between 1987 and 2003. Bond is set at $1,000,000.
Braxton County
Radcliff was charged with 15 counts of first-degree sexual assault, 15 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian and 15 counts of incest for incidents that occurred between 1995 and 2000. Bond is set at $250,000.
Harrison County
Radcliff was charged with one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of incest for incidents that occurred in 2002. Bond is set at $450,000.
Nicholas County
Radcliff was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault, eight counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, and eight counts of incest for incidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019.