Kalamazoo pastor responds to allegations of teen sex crimes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A well-known Kalamazoo pastor accused of paying teens to engage in sex acts at his home is holding a press conference this afternoon.

Rev. Strick Strickland of Second Baptist Church will speak at 3:30 p.m. from his attorney's office.

>>App users: Watch the press conference live

Michigan State Police say a four-month investigation found Strickland and his wife paid at least four teens, one of whom was 14 at the time, to engage in sexual acts at his house, which is owned by the church where Strickland preaches. After a Target 8 report exposed the investigation last week , a fifth person came forward with a similar allegation.

In a phone conversation with Target 8, Strickland denied the allegations.

Strickland, also the former head of the local NAACP, is still preaching at Second Baptist Church. His wife resigned from her job as a paraprofessional at a Kalamazoo high school after the couple's home was raided last fall.

The case has been handed over to the Kalamazoo County prosecutor for a decision on charges.

MSP have asked any other potential victims to call the Paw Paw Post at 269.657.5551.

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