Michigan pastor accused of paying teens for sex a fugitive, police say
A Michigan pastor accused of multiple sex crimes is now wanted after failing to turn himself in.
A Kalamazoo pastor accused of sex crimes against teenagers is now a wanted man after he failed to turn himself in.
Read More: Kalamazoo pastor accused of sexual assault, paying teens to have sex with wife
Rev. Stricjavvar “Strick” Strickland continuously pushed back the date of his surrender as he was initially due to turn himself in at the Kalamazoo County Jail on Friday, Wood TV reports.
“He was then supposed to turn himself in on Monday, Tuesday and then today, which he has not done,” said Michigan State Police Detective 1st Lt. Chuck Christensen according to Wood TV.
He continues, “And at this point, with the seriousness of the charges and the victims we have out there, we now consider him a fugitive. “
According to theGrio, Strickland faces 11 felony charges including four counts of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity and three counts of child sexually abusive activity. The pastor allegedly sexually abused four teenage boys and paid them to engage in sexual activity with his wife.
Read More: Michigan pastor says white woman coughed on him for not wearing mask
Currently, Strickland’s wife, Jazmonique Strickland, does not face any charges. The pastor himself denies all claims.
Wood TV reports the case is now assigned to the MSP Fugitive Task Force. The pastor has resided in his home state of Mississippi since the allegations were first brought to light in 2018. Christensen says if police learn of Strickland’s location the team will go arrest him, and he’ll face the extradition process if out-of-state.
Although he did not turn himself in, the pastor’s lawyer says his client is not running, citing travel difficulties as the reason for the delay.
“(Strickland) is currently living in the southern United States and has had to deal with hurricane weather and transportation issues,” says lawyer Mike Hill to Wood TV.
He continues, “He will be turning himself in very soon. He’s not running. This is going to happen.”
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