Dear Elders in the EB/Alex field,
We are wanting to let you and your meetings know more about Jeff’s situation, although a lot of it is still unknown. Some have expressed not wanting any more emails with this kind of news, so we are asking you to share it with your meetings as you see fit. We hope this will be a gentler, more sensitive approach to sharing news.
The MN/IA staff will be together in Rochester on 5/26 for a staff meeting. Lyle Schober will be with us as well We are all looking forward to it I got back to the field on Friday and yesterday Kara returned from IA. We are glad to be back together and in the field. We are needing to regroup a bit and will be in touch when we have some meetings scheduled.
Your prayers and care are appreciated,
Kara & Marla
Here is the letter to share:
Dear Friends,
We want to send a short note to give some clarity about the thoughts about Jeff Thayer. It seems rather clear that it would be best to not have Jeff return to the MN/IA staff regardless of the outcome of any investigation. We hope this will be enough to answer questions that have circulated about his future here in these states.
There will be help sent to fill the needs but at this time it is not clear who it would be and when that may occur. In the meanwhile we encourage everyone to have patience and continue to seek the Lord for your assurance and bread.
Your servants for Christ’s sake,
Dean Dykstra
Marla Freesemann
Lyle Schober
John Simons
Shari Stamps
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I remember a poster from grade school with three little monkeys – one with his ears covered, one with his eyes covered, and one with his mouth covered with the caption saying Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil. Unfortunately, this saying was applied to CSA victims for years and even apparently still today per the Cynthia Liles post yesterday regarding overseer Merlin. And now with Jeff and his girlfriend.
There is a time to keep quiet but as you said, unfortunately people kept quiet when they should have spoken up for the innocent and vulnerable!
I found it interesting when reading this letter that there were those that didn’t want any more emails regarding these things. It seems these workers are trying so hard to be transparent and some cannot bear it. They are obviously not part of the group of us checking this website wanting to know everything that is transpiring! I suppose that those that have been hurt are demanding explanations and accountability and transparency, whereas many others are likely getting the shock of their life and will just now be going through the stages of grief that others are already well into.
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For myself, since I have not had any time around Jeff, I have been just sick to learn of his situation. I only heard him as a visiting worker, but he opened up some scriptures to me that I’d never understood. I have always been so thankful for his insights. I find myself processing those things I appreciated him saying, and wondering if they are even true… And I know I’ll always appreciate enlightenment on the scriptures – I love the Bible. I know some or most of what he shared to be true. Now that I write, I remember a feeling I had. I remember hearing Jeff maybe 30 years ago and so blown away with how he could open up a portion of scripture for me. I never actually talked to him personally. And then about 20 years later, I learned he was coming to our area as a visitor and I was pretty happy about that. This – this should have been my own red flag – I think this is a mindset that has enabled these offenders to have such power (not the only reason, I know). I do appreciate all of the different strengths that different people have. But I realize that sometimes I have placed people on a pedestal of idealism because they were able to reach me in a way others didn’t. I would consider myself pretty realistic about human nature. But this situation with Jeff has caused some real introspection. So when he came and spoke, I was really surprised to hear him speaking from the same scripture! I was indeed happy about that and he opened up some more insights for me. But the thought did pop up in my head – why is he still repeating this after all these years? But I ignored that red flag. Asking these workers to go on convention tours and speak 45 minutes 2 or 3 times in a convention – I know they are going to have to repeat sermons. But I mean, really? All of them? Instead of preparing for sermons – he was…..?
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Someone mentioned somewhere in a comment on this site about the need for workers to concentrate MORE on the word of God and feeding his people (I’m not quoting exactly), and they referenced in Acts where the Stephen and the others were appointed to administer to the daily tasks so that the apostles could concentrate on reading and praying. I’m not convinced this was meant as a pattern for us today. Maybe at that time when they were at such an upheaval of switching from the OT to the NT, they really had to get on top of their game and get acquainted with the scriptures. But I can’t see that this actually continued to be the practice in Acts, and I really think it’s kind of a dangerous setup. IMHO
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I appreciate what Louise said about knowing when to keep quiet and knowing when to speak up. God help me that I’ll never hurt anyone by my silence. I hurt myself because of thinking I had to keep silent. Don’t let me do that to another.
I’m not referring to Jeff here in particular (have never encountered him), but there is a truism that abusers appear as the most upstanding citizens of any community. They are masters of deception and manipulation. That’s how they can ply their trade for a long time……and it works really well in a culture of secrecy and a doctrine of omerta among the ministry group.
Someone I know well was knocked for a loop over Dean Bruer for the same reasons you held Jeff in such high esteem. Dean seemed so spiritual and able to open up scripture so helpfully for that person. Many others I won’t name were much the same…..so “helpful” in preaching, often personable and seemingly open….. while pursuing criminal or immoral activities.
It’s time we stopped being naïve. Yes, you are quite right about that comment in the letter that some folks cannot hear the bad news and need to be shielded from it. The truth (not The Truth) is beautiful in its purity but can reveal the ugly which a large minority of folks cannot bear. Some people need to live in a bubble of false idealism to cope with life….that’s the best way I can understand it. It’s up to stronger folks like you and others on this site to move things to better ground, the status quo won’t be broken without a lot of effort.
Lyle Schober has a long history of covering up, extreme dishonesty, extreme manipulate of anyone he can, treats any sister worker who dares to say anything with extreme disdain and goes out of his way to make their live a living hell. All of a sudden he is showing up to worker meetings. I am sure he is doing all he can to keep anyone who may talk, silenced. He is as far from open and honest as anyone can get. I have known him for over 40 years, this is not just some random comment.
What next, I am a bit shocked to read what you say about Lyle, because it seems that he’s been very proactive and open to instruction and advice. And I had found comfort in him being invited to other staffs to Are you talking from your own personal experience? Actually I would have thought normally Ray Hoffman would be the one to go support these staffs that have suddenly lost their overseer. But my supposition was that due to many of Ray’s decisions being questioned, especially if he was involved as closely as it seems in the Jeff scandal, Lyle was being called on as one who has gained the respect and trust of others. That is one fall-out I am nervous about. Now we have a bunch of inexperienced ones trying to be in the oversight. Not that we don’t need a fresh start, but it’s going to be a rocky one, for sure. My personal opinion is that one of the things that allowed some of these overseers to continue as long as they did was because they were excellent managers, at least compared to other options). And as a result many didn’t want to believe/couldn’t process what was happening in secret. I would say even for myself that it’s easy to get dragged into the trap of good personality, good management skills, and think that it adds up to a strong spiritual life. Or someone who has the air of authority – they can really trick us into believing they should be followed and obeyed. As a result we can really act like we are a cult – I get that. I think about this a lot, actually, and not sure if there is any answer. I get the reason why people want more checks and balances, because of these problems. I believe 100% in the Bible, but I know that our fellowship has gotten quite large compared to the days of the bible. That is so wonderful. But when it starts needing to become more of a natural organization to protect the remnant within it that are actually the ones that are honest before God… Perhaps God will hear our cry and Jesus will return because we can get to feeling so hopeless. I read one time that the form of governance that creates the happiest people is a benevolent monarch. Now we have none of those in the world that I know of. It’s too easy to become corrupt.
Get rid of the word “Overseer”
How about a leadership team of three. In my opinion it’s more biblical.
The team in the state chooses, men or women. Plenty in scripture on how they chose the apostle to replace Judas.
It is truthful to say that Christ said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”…..”this way” is not. Man has always wanted to “improve upon” the perfect way to Christ. It took over a hundred years but this was bound to happen. I agree with this looking very cult-like with the insisted upon “silent” rules and traditions.. But with much now out in the open because of the internet and other sources, it has become harder and harder to “hide” things that are incredibly wrong. May His Will be done! May we be looking to Christ instead of idolizing and following man!
Losing one overseer that’s sick, to put someone else in his place (who will have to have dirt on them to get the position), doesn’t make anything safer, nor will it change anything. I can say that with certainty, because until Ray Hoffman, Dale Schultz, and Barry Barkley are gone and NO worker is put in their place, and there’s no overseers, and the power is put back with the Elders…and things are changed to be like Jesus spoke of, using Jesus DOCTRINE, not the current doctrine that they are hanging onto for dear life (the LIVING WITNESS DOCTRINE) nothing will change. These men are sick and guilty, and are protecting their own rear ends, and can and DO manipulate everyone beneath them. They are not “men of God”. There is NOTHING about the 2×2 religion that is after the teachings of Jesus. For example: Baptism – what did Jesus say about it? Right, no rules, regulations, no you can’t be baptized because… He said, if they believe on HIM, baptized them, not test a meeting and then once they pass YOUR tests or ? Then, they can be baptized. No, “professing” is just a cop out, because the ministry doesn’t have the faith to believe that God can do a work in someone after baptism, even though Jesus trusted His Father 100% and deemed that enough. Emblems: What did Jesus say about those? “When you do THIS (have a meal together), do THIS (speaking of the bread and wine) in rememberance of ME”. Any stipulations there? Nope! So, who in the Sunday morning meeting do we NOT want to remember Jesus? But, no, this ministry thinks they are above Jesus, and created a trainwreck back in 1895 and brought it to America in 1905, and it’s been a slowmotion derailment over the past 120+ years. Our generation just witnessed the grand finale!! God is done with this group, and wants HIS people to come out and truly find HIM!
Which field or state did Lyle Schober come from?
He’s the current overseer of Texas
Does anyone have a list of those who have been charged with sex abuse?
Here is a partial list of 60. There are definitely some missing:
Updated January 2, 2025
**2002 Stanley Jordan
**1991 Phil Robinson
60 court cases involving sexual abuse within the 2×2’s. I know this is not a complete list. This is a work in progress. I will be adding more names as I come across them. If you are able to provide me with more details on the convictions of the following convicted perpetrators please reach out to me in a DM.
NOTE: WARNING: Some of these are very hard to read, especially Daniel and Jenise Spurgeon. Please make sure you are in a good place if you proceed to read this list of those convicted through the years.
2024, Brazil, Francelino Theodoro, was arrested November 13, 2024 after several months on the run. He was sentenced in 2019 to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor. He has multiple victims both relatives and non relatives. He is a former bishop and hymn writer and was regarded as a faithful example within the church. He is currently incarcerated pursuant to Brazilian justice.
2024, Louisiana, professing man Clyde T. Corneille (84), was convicted on August 21 for Indecent Behavior with Juveniles which is a felony. He pleaded “no contest” to the charge. He got a 5 year suspended sentence. He is a registered Tier 1 Sex Offender. He is currently on 3 years probation. He was the elder of a meeting and had the meeting in his home until the workers removed it in 2022. He was allowed to go to meetings. Notification was sent out to folks in the area and it was left up to the folks if they wanted to meet with him. Robert Eberhart has stated that Clyde will not be allowed to attend any conventions.
2024, Tempe, Arizona, Ray Zwiefelhofer (61), a former elder was arrested on September 2, 2022 and charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He pleaded not guilty. His trial was from September 23 to October 2, 2024. On October 2, 2024 he was found guilty by a jury on all 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Sentencing for Ray Zwiefelhofer on November 8, 2024 in the state of Arizona. He received 12 years for each of the 10 charges for a total of 120 years. He did receive a credit of 36 days per count for time served. By Arizona law, terms must run consecutively. They must run as flat time, which means he has to do every day of his sentence. There is no early release option. If released, it would be with supervision and he would have to register as a sex offender.
2024, Kerikeri, New Zealand William “Bill” Easton (79), former worker, was arrested in August 2024 on charges of sexually abusing boys between 1964-1986. September 2024 he pleaded guilty to 55 charges which included indecent assault and sexual violation. He remains in custody and will be sentenced December 6, 2024. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
2023, Yakima Washington, Trevin Scott Ross was arrested in May 2022 for child sex abuse against a minor. He pled guilty in Oct 2023. He did not serve any time due to his plea deal. He was then convicted in Oct. 2023. He is a Level 1 Registered Sex Offender in the state of Washington.
2023, Wasilla Alaska, Lukis Nighswonger (40). He had an agreement then admitted guilt. Yesterday, ( May 30, 2023) Judge Woodman accepted the agreement. Nighswonger entered a guilty plea, on July 27, 2022, to the 11 counts for 11 separate victims with an agreed upon composite sentence of 46 years active time and an additional 40 years of suspended time and to lifetime sex offender registration and a category of most serious aggravator.
The count breakdown is:
6 counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor (6 victims)
1 count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor
1 count of second-degree sexual assault
1 count of attempted second-degree sexual abuse of a minor
1 count first-degree harassment
1 count of second-degree harassment
2023, Nanaimo, Canada, Former Elder Lorne Gale (44), was convicted of secretly observing/recording nudity in a private place of a child under the age of 16. He is currently serving a Probation Order of 30 months. He must not be in the presence of children under the age of 16, directly or indirectly, unless in the immediate presence of his wife or other adult. He will not have a criminal record if he abides by his probationary terms.
2023, Virginia church member, Hodgie Holgerson, was convicted of taking indecent liberties of a child under the age of 15 and aggravated sexual battery victim under age of 13. Pled guilty, 10 year suspended sentence. Registered sex offender.
2023, Canada worker Aaron Farough, He pled guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of accessing child pornography. The investigation determined that he had viewed 12 video files containing child pornography and 32 images of child pornography. On February 17, 2019, he distributed 28 child pornography files and received 14 child pornography files. In addition, the police found some 12 images of child pornography on his cellphone, some two years later, when they arrested him. He was convicted in British Columbia for accessing and importing/distributing child pornography. He was sentenced to 175 days of jail time, followed by one year probation. He is not allowed to be employed or volunteer to work with any child under the age of 16 unless he has the advance written permission of his probation officer. If he is given permission, then he must carry it with him in paper or electronic format, at all times when he is engaged in the activity requiring permission. If a peace officer finds him engaged in the activity and requests to see the permission, he must show it to the officer. He must also comply with the Sex Offender Acts and will be on the registry for 20 years. He was also required to provide a DNA sample while in jail. In a letter dated September 16, 2024, Aaron states the following: “I have no restrictions on who I am around or where I go in my community or others.” Aaron has been attending Sunday meetings in Pincher Creek Alberta, Canada.
2022, Minnesota, Washington, Ronald L. Schober (69), was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct against a mentally impaired victim. He sexually assaulted one of the facility’s residents while employed as a maintenance worker at the facility. He pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. He is currently serving a life sentence. 2018 he was convicted of disorderly conduct. 2016 he was convicted of stalking. 2001 he was convicted of Indecent Exposure. July 1987, he was arrested and found guilty in Jan. 1988 for sexually abusing 5 children who were patients of his at his chiropractic clinic. He was found guilty by a jury on 1 count of first degree statutory rape and 3 counts of indecent liberties. He was sentenced Feb 1988 to 8 years in prison. In April 1988, he was released on a $75,000 cash bond put up by his Aunt and Uncle pending his appeal. In 1982 he reportedly agreed to get counseling in lieu of prosecution after an 11 year old girl saw him in a car masturbating. 1977, in Missouri he was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct after exposing himself to a young girl. He was given a year probation.
2022, Alabama and Florida, Jenise Johnson-Spurgeon (58), former worker, former foster parent and wife of Daniel was arrested in 2017. She was in the work from about 1987 to 1991 in OH. Upon her arrest she was charged with the following: 100 counts of child abuse, 1 count of domestic violence by strangulation and/or suffocation, 11 counts of first degree human trafficking, 100 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, 100 counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes. It is reported that the couple housed more than 50 foster children during their 8 years in Alabama. She pled guilty to 11 counts of child abuse. She will only serve one year due to a plea deal. She attended meetings in Florida before her arrest.
2021, Ontario, Canada, Joshua Burgoyne, who attended meetings and conventions was sentenced to 12 months in Jail. He pled guilty to one count of communication with a person under the age of 16 for the purpose of sexual touching.
2019, MacKay Queensland Australia, Evan Bester was convicted for childhood sexual abuse which he committed over many years. He was sentenced to 3 months in jail. To my knowledge he is not attending meetings.
2019 California, Michael Edwin Kettler, was arrested for possession or control of child pornography. He was convicted in California for: advertise obscene matters depicting minors and Send/Sell/Etc. Obscene Matter Depicting Minor. He is recently out of prison. He is a Level 2 offender and is a Registered Sex Offender in Arizona.
2019, Alabama and Florida, Daniel Spurgeon (53), former worker and former foster parent and husband to Janise, was arrested in 2017. He was in the work from about 1988 to 1992 in AL/MS/GA/IN. Upon his arrest he was charged with the following: 2 counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12. 115 counts of first degree sexual abuse, 122 counts of child abuse, 4 counts of first degree sodomy, 4 counts of sexual torture, 3 counts of domestic violence by strangulation and/or suffocation, 6 counts of first degree rape, 115 counts enticing a child for immoral purposes, 6 counts incest, and 11 counts of first-degree human trafficking. He pled guilty to 14 charges, that include 11 counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of rape of a child less than 12 and one count of sexual torture. The case involved a total of 11 victims who were either in the care of or the adopted child at the time the abuse occurred. It was the biggest child sex abuse case in Lauderdale County’s history. Daniel attended meetings in Florida before his arrest. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
2018, Australia, Cecil James Blyth (64), pled guilty to 9 counts of historic child sex assault. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail with a non parole period of one year and 6 months. He was released on parole Jan. 2019. In 2016 he was sentenced to 2.5 years for sexual abuse of two victims. He was arrested in 2015 and pleaded guilty to 13 charges. In 2011 he was sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexual abuse of a family member. In 1996 he bribed two of his victims to stay silent by giving them money. He is a convicted sex offender.
2018, Idaho, Eric N. Scott, was charged of raping a girl under the age of 16. He is required to register as a sex offender.
2018, Arizona, Jason Lennox (43), pled guilty to second degree sexual conduct with a minor and sexual abuse of a child. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was also given lifetime probation after release for sexual conduct with a minor. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
2017, Australia, Jade Aaron Parsons (28), pleaded guilty to one count of accessing child pornography and one count of sharing child pornography. “In 2016 the police located 13 movies in total and 4426 unique images. The majority classified as one of the most grossly offensive type of child exploitation material. Some of the children in the images were only babies, but mostly girls aged eight and nine.” (Source: The Courier Mail Dec. 11, 2017) He was sentenced to 15 months jail, suspended after two months, along with 18 months probation and a three year good behavior bond
2017, Australia, Stephen John Landless (57), was charged with eight counts of indecent treatment of a child under 14. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. He did admit to having had inappropriate contact with the girl after her 14th birthday. He was found guilty of one count. The judge ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine. He did not receive any jail time.
2017, Nelson, New Zealand, Eric Walker Smith (53), was charged in 2015 and was convicted in 2017 of 12 counts of sexual offenses against a 12 year old girl. Sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison. In 2018 he appealed to the Court of Appeal and his appeal was rejected. He was also added to the child sex offender registry.
2016, Wisconsin, Enos Bontrager, he was charged with four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years old, two counts of second degree sexual assault of a child and one count of sexual assault of a child under 16. Before his trial he entered into a plea agreement and pled no contest to reduced charges and was found guilty by the court of repeated sexual assault of a child, exposing himself to a child and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 9 months in jail, fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $6,800 restitution. He was released after 7 months. He has attended meetings after his release.
2016, Wisconsin, Troy Thompson (elder), was sentenced to three years in prison and 10 years extended supervision on five counts of child pornography possession after authorities found thousands of images on computers they seized from his home. Letter from Glenn Glasser states in a letter dated May 24, 2023 that Troy was attending meetings before his incarceration.
2016, Republic of Ireland, Senior Worker, Noel Tanner (74), was found guilty of sexually abusing minor boys in 1984 and convicted again on new charges in 1991 and 2016.
2014, Victoria, Australia worker Chris Chandler, pled guilty to 9 counts of child sexual abuse.
2013, New Zealand, Douglas Martin (56) was arrested in November 2012 and charged with making intimate visual recordings with a pen camera. It involved 17 victims. He pled guilty in Jan. 2013 to 20 charges of making intimate visual recordings during June to November 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to 10 months of home detention. He was not allowed to associate with girls under 16 years old and was ordered to complete treatment to address his sexual offending.
2013, Idaho, Kendall Adams, convicted of sexual exploitation of a child. He is on the Idaho Sex Offender Register.
2012, Ohio, David L. Johnson, pleaded guilty to 9 charges of sexual battery and 1 charge of gross sexual imposition on a victim under 18. He was sentenced to 12 years and 5 years supervised upon release. He is required to re-register annually for 10 years. He was released from prison in 2024.
2012, David L. Hamill (61), was arrested in 2008. He pled guilty to computer electronic child exploitation and was sentenced to three years in prison followed by 12 months of probation. He had to register as a sex offender upon his release.
2012, St. Charles, Anthony N. Siegel (41), pleaded guilty in St. Charles County Circuit Court in May to first-degree statutory sodomy and first-degree child molestation, both felonies. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to having sexual contact with two females younger than 14 in 2006.
2012, Wisconsin, Price Turner III, convicted of the offence ‘repeated acts of sexual assault against same child. He was preached to in prison and accepted into gospel meetings once he was released with a chaperone program the workers started. Children were present in these meetings. He is a registered sex offender.
2011, Montana/Utah, William “Bill” Kitto, was sentenced in Utah to 5 years in prison after he pled no contest to a third degree felony charge of enticing a minor over the internet. The communication was actually with a member of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force posing as a minor. He was arrested in Logan, Utah. In 2009 after he drove from Great Falls, Montana to Logan. He failed to show up for his sentencing hearing three times. After his third failure to appear a no bail bench warrant for his arrest was issued. He was arrested in a Quality Inn while chatting online. He is a registered sex offender. William “Bill” Kitto passed away on November 27, 2024. Doyle Smith (Overseer) attended his funeral.
2011,Victoria, Australia, senior worker Ernie Barry, pled guilty to 5 counts of indecent assault, was convicted for multiple offenses of sexual abuse of a child while he was a worker. The judge ordered that his name be entered onto the register of sexual offenders and remain there for a 15 year term.
2011, former worker, George Scandalis (67), was charged in 2010 in Massachusetts with enticing a 14 year old boy to have sex with him. On Dec. 19, 2011, Scandalis pleaded guilty to indecent assault and Battery of a person over the age of 14 and enticing a minor. He was sentenced to 2 years of probation. He must register as a sex offender.
2011, Michigan worker, Peter Mousseau (41), was found guilty of criminal sexual conduct of an 11 year old girl. The following is from a letter dated September 16, 2011 signed by Jerome Frandle.
“At the Mecosta County Court, April of 2010 Peter Mousseau pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a 11 year old girl in Fork Township while staying in the home of her parents in 1993. On Monday June 21, 2010 Peter was sentenced to five years on probation in Mecosta County’s 49th Circuit Court and ordered to register as a sex offender as well as being prohibited from having contact with children. Now word has come to us that on Thursday August 25, 2011, Peter was sentenced from two to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl between the age 8 and 13 while in the ministry in Chippewa County in 1997.”
2011, Lampasas, Texas, Mylon Ralph Bramer (62), was arrested in 2010 for sexually assaulting a child in his wife’s daycare. Investigators believe that he may have been sexually abusing children at the daycare for years and even decades. He was charged with sexually assaulting a child and indecency with a child. His bail was set at $125,000. $100,00 for the sexual assault charge and $25,000 for the indecency charge. He pled guilty in 2011 to four counts of indecency and one count of sexual assault of a child under 14. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison. He died in prison this past year.
2010, Michigan/New York , Darren Briggs (34), was convicted of criminal Sexual conduct 4th degree (force or coercion) on an 11 year old boy in 2006 while he was in the work. He spent 180 days in jail. He was charged in April, 2009.
2010, Canadian worker, Bruce Waddell, admitted to sexual molestation of a 7 year old girl. No jail time. He was sentenced to a four month conditional sentence to be served in the community, followed by three years on probation. When he was interviewed outside the court, he said he “victimized other children but he was only charged with this case.” He also said “ there’s been other victims but that’s been looked after.” Waddell is also subject to a wide-reaching prohibition against contact with children under age 16: He isn’t allowed in parks, swimming pools or other places where children might be expected to be; he may not take any job or volunteer work that would put him in a position of trust or authority over young people; and he may not use computers to communicate with young people.(By Betty Ann Adam, The Star Phoenix October 15, 2010.) According to AFTT webpage there is an open and active case against him in Manitoba, Canada.
2009, Bremerton, Washington, Richard Ray Hedahl, signed a plea agreement, pleading guilty to assault in the 3rd degree with sexual motivation. The plea agreement provided for a jail term of 3 months, with credit for time served prior to sentencing, and 12 months community supervision. He states in his court records the following when asked to state in his own words what makes him guilty of this crime: “I believe I am innocent of this offense, but I understand there is a substantial risk at trial and I am electing to plead guilty.”
2008, Ketchikan, Alaska, professing man Darren Jacksch, A retired Coast Guard veteran was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy at a Juneau church camp last spring and then paying $300 to keep the child from reporting the crime. Juneau Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg suspended 12 years of Jacksch’s sentence and ordered the 42-year-old to serve eight years in prison. For 10 years after his release, Jacksch must register as a sex offender and not have contact with anyone under 18 without written approval. Pallenberg said pedophiles have a high recidivism rate and that Jacksch “posed a risk to minors.”
2007, Oregon, James Schupbach, was convicted of sexual abuse in the third degree. He broke into a young woman’s apartment and sexually assaulted her, he was an elder at the time of the assault. He pleaded guilty in August 2007. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail; however, his sentence was suspended. He was sentenced to 36 months of probation.
2007, Independence, Kansas, professing/ex-professing Kenneth Lyle Akkerman (48), was convicted in 2007 of the felony of Attempted Electronic Solicitation of a Child <16 YOA (female). He will be on the Kansas sex offender registry from 2010 to 2035.
2007, California worker, Ruben Mata, was convicted of multiple sexual abuse crimes against children. He went on trial on November 20, 2006, in Santa Clara County, CA. He was charged and found guilty of three counts. Lewd or lascivious act on a child by force, violence, duress, menace and fear. Aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 and 10 or more years younger than the defendant, by violation of penal code section 288a, Oral Copulation, by force, violence, duress, menace and fear. Aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 and 10 or more years younger than the defendant, by violation of penal code section 288a, Oral Copulation, by force, violence, duress, menace and fear. He received 6 years for the first count and 15 for the second and 15 for the third.He was sentenced to 36 years to life and he was not eligible for parole. His sentencing took place in January 2007 and he died October 2007 while in prison. I am working on his timeline.
2007, Minnesota worker Tim Severud (42) was convicted for criminal sexual conduct involving a 10 year old girl. Severud has a history of engaging in sexual contact with numerous female victims between the ages of five and 12-years-old. The contact in most cases included fondling and he was known to his victims through his work. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Severud will be under intensive supervised release (ISR). He will be monitored with a global positioning system (GPS) and observed by four agents who will make unannounced random visits to his residence at least four times a week. Severud must complete sex offender treatment and is not allowed access to the Internet or social networking sites. Severud will be on ISR until 2025. After that time, he will still be required to register any changes in his appearance or lifestyle with local law enforcement.
2007, member Lonnie Haken, was sentenced in early December for first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct against two young girls. Haken, who pleaded guilty in October to sexually abusing two young girls, was sentenced Monday to 12 months in the Nobles County Jail, followed by an intensive in-patient program at a sex offender treatment facility. Judge Jeffrey Flynn sentenced Haken to 144 months incarceration, with all but 12 months stayed, provided he go straight into the Alpha Human Services residential program in Minneapolis and complete the program after he serves his jail time. Upon completion of treatment, he may also have to reside in a halfway house, which will be determined by how the treatment proceeds. Haken will be on probation for 20 years, and while on it is to have no unauthorized contact with the victims, their families, or minors younger than the age of 18. He was ordered to pay $3,458 in restitution and was fined $40,000. Because he was also ordered to pay for the in-patient treatment at Alpha, $35,000 of his payments there will be credited to his fine.
2007, Ontario, Canada member Grant Radbourne, was convicted of sexual assault, sexual touching of a child under the age of 14. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 1 year house arrest, weapons ban and registered sex offender.
2004, Lakewood NY, member Michael Dunn was convicted of Sexual Conduct Without Consent on a 22 year old male in 2002. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment. He also had a previous conviction in 1999 of Sexual Abuse -2nd degree on a 13 year old male in 1998. After his release from prison, he was not allowed in meetings with the victim but otherwise was allowed to go to fellowship meetings. I do not know if he is still attending meetings.
2004, Chatham, Georgia, member David W. Carter (36), was convicted of 1998 child molestation offense and was sentenced to prison for five years.He was released in 2008. He developed a relationship with a 12 year old girl (he was 32) on the internet and drove to another state several times to molest her. As of July 2023, he was removed from all meetings. He is on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry as a result of the out-of-state conviction.
2004, Wisconsin, Howard E. Ferguson Jr. was convinced of first degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement and first degree sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail for the assault of a boy. He professed while he was in prison. After his release he was able to attend gospel meetings, he was then asked not to attend meetings. He is a registered sex offender.
2003, Colorado, Jackie Shinogle, he pled guilty to a felony charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and a misdemeanor charge of sexual assault. These charges stemmed from a “relationship” he maintained over the course of several months with a 15 year old girl, who he coached in softball. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years probation, a program of intensive supervised treatment for sexual offenders and to register as a sex offender. He was also charged in 1993 with sexual assault on a 12 year old child, relating to actions in 1985 when he was the victim’s gym teacher. He pled guilty to misdemeanor harassment. I am unsure if he is still attending meetings.
2003, Former New South Wales, Australia worker, Noel Harvey, was convicted of 19 charges of child sexual abuse.
(New) 2002, Canada, Stanley Jordan 56, pled guilty in 2001 for possession of child pornography, he had multiple photos of minor females 12 and under. He was sentenced to 3 months of house arrest, 100 hours of community service, and donated $1000 to a charity for children that was approved by his supervisor.
2002, Randolph, Mississippi, George Wayne Garner (44), was convicted of touching a child for lustful purposes. He was sentenced to 15 years with 13 years suspended. He served 2 full years in prison and was a registered sex offender. He was not professing at the time of the offense. He professed after his arrest and incarceration. He attended meetings after he was released from prison. He died on February 6, 2021. Officiating at his funeral was Rob Eberhardt.
1997, Oregon USA worker Curt Jacobsen, pled guilty and was convicted of a Class A misdemeanor of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd degree. In 2013 the Court Order for Relief states that he is relieved from his obligations to report as a sex offender because he completed the following: 1. More than 10 years have elapsed since termination of his supervision. 2. He does not have any other criminal convictions. 3. He has successfully completed sex offender treatment. 4. The victim does not object to the relief. 5. He does not pose a threat to the safety of the public.
1996, Emmitt, Idaho Walter “Ted” Moore, professing man and elder admitted he sexually abused 2 girls at his daughter in laws daycare and as many as 13 other children, all of them daughters of his friends and relatives. He was convicted and was sentenced to serve 7 years in prison. His motion to have his sentence reduced was denied. At sentencing he admitted to having molested a total of 18 girls over a period exceeding 30 years. He was never convicted of these crimes. He is currently living in Oregon.
1995, Australia, Ian Bruce Shirmer appealed his 3 year sentence. Around 1992 he was charged with 2 counts of indecently dealing with a girl who was 9 years and 5 months old. In 1990 he was also convicted of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 12. He got 2 years probation and 240 hours of community service. This probation ended Feb. 1992, about 7 months prior to the above offenses. His appeal was approved in 1995 and he was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.
1995, Portland, Oregon, Duane Allen Wong, former worker pled guilty to 2 counts of Sodomy in the first degree, a Class A Felony. He was convicted of the 2 counts of Sodomy in the first degree. I am trying to track down his sentence and how long it was. Class A Felony in Oregon can carry up to a 20 year prison sentence. Duane was in the work from 1971 to 1977 in both Oregon and Montana.
(NEW) 1991 Canada, Philip “Phil” Robinson, a member who was charged and served two years in prison for a sexual crime against a minor was made an elder after his release. He is allowed to attend meetings and conventions.
1988 Colorado, Steven Droel, a member who was charged and pled guilty to sex crimes against a minor was given 3 years supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. In 1988 he was allowed to move from Colorado to Arizona while still being supervised as part of his probation.
1982 Washington, Richard Schober , former worker who started in the work in 1965 in Minnesota. He was in the work for a few years. He was reportedly removed from the work due to CSA allegations which were kept from the general public. In March 1982, he pled guilty to a charge of Indecent Liberties and was found guilty. He was sentenced to 5 years. In 1984 his sentence was suspended pending commitment to a program. In Dec of 1985, he violated terms and conditions of his probation by failing to complete the Sexual Offender Program and also that he didn’t agree to continue to take part in the Sexual Offender Program. He was remanded into custody and was given credit for days already served. He spent roughly 15 months behind bars. April 1987 he was paroled. Sept 1989 he was granted final discharge and restoration of civil rights
Thank you for replying. I had no idea that there was sexual abuse within the 2×2’s. If it hadn’t been for Dean Bruer’s death, we probably wouldn’t know anything about the other sex abuse offenders.
I’m shocked about the short amount of jail sentence of Daniel & Denise Spurgon. Their actions were sickening.
I have concerns about Lyle as well, I just spoke to him on the phone a couple of weeks ago to see if he would express some of my concerns at his “worker” meeting in N. Dakota as I was getting nowhere with the overseers here. He seemed kind on the phone and seemed to take my concerns seriously, but I have a situation here with his cousin who is a convicted child molester, and he so far has not lent a hand to help. Then I was told that he was instrumental in getting his cousin back into the meetings in Alaska. Not sure what to believe about him, but he is cousin to both Schobers on the CSA list on this website. He is currently the overseer in Texas. Anyone know anything more about him??
I really feel for you, Jennifer, but for me it doesn’t feel fair to ask someone to take down their own relative. Even if it’s true, I think that would be too traumatic for them and likely cause them many more troubles within the family setting. Is there anyone else you can contact? Like that group of professing therapists?
It might not seem “fair” to you, but if he loved the souls of the innocent, he would have stepped up and been a true man of God, relative or not! This man has committed Federal Crimes against over 100 children, spent time in Washington State Penitentiary and has continued seeking victims ever since…just like they all do!!
I’m sorry Jennifer, unfortunately you will get the same with every overseer you approach. They pretend to listen, and then blow you off. Because, they have NO power to do anything different than what they are told to do, by the three men above them, who are guilty and sick and have NO love for God’s people in their hearts. If they did, they would have left when like 2,000 of us signed a letter asking them to step down. No, their interest is in the money they have amassed.
Yes my statements are based on personal experiences. I recommend people ask ex-sister workers who have had to work under Lyle’s command. We all need to keep our personal religious focus on Jesus, the whole rank and file religion thing is 100% setup to fail as it puts people in the way of Christians truly worshiping Jesus. I have heard many workers state that it is their job to be the go between, between the friends and Jesus. A total mess.
That mentality that you speak of sounds like Catholicism with people making their confessions to priests instead of Christ! Yikes! What have we become!
This 2×2 religion is set up like the Cathoic Church. Theirs three men at the top. Then, there’s state overseers, then brother workers, then Elders, decans, and bishops, then sister workers, then women & children. In Jesus day, the Elders were given authority. This ministry took that authority upon themselves, from the get-go of creating this mess…and now we are seeing the fruit of it all (sexual abuse).
@henoffour. You have stated over and over that Jesus gave the authority to the Elders over His church. I would be curios where you get this. I read of Jesus sending out messengers to spread the gospel, to tell people about Jesus. I read of Him asking his disciples to pray that the lord of the harvest to send for laborers into His harvest field, I read of Him saying about those messengers that he that receives whomsoever I send recieveth me and the Father. I read where Paul, who was sent forth by Jesus told his two young companions, Timothy and Titus to appoint Elders in the churches. I never read where these appointed Elders all of s sudden had authority over those who appointed them? Please clarify.