KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan State Police announced Wednesday that a Kalamazoo-area pastor accused of sexual conduct is now considered a fugitive after failing to turn himself over.
Previously, the Reverend Stricjavvar “Strick” Strickland had a warrant issued for his arrest last month. He is facing 11 felony counts for incidents alleged to have happened between 2015 and 2018.
He is accused of paying four teenage boys for sexual photos and acts, including paid acts with his wife, Jazmonique. Strickland has maintained his innocence ever since he was first accused. It is alleged that he met these teens through the work of himself and his wife at Phoenix High School.
In total, he faces four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of child sexually abusive activity, and four counts of human trafficking of a minor.
Strickland first became the pastor of Kalamazoo’s Second Baptist Church in 2012.
On Wednesday, multiple news outlets including WOOD TV and MLive reported that messages received from Strickland and his lawyer, Mike Hills, say that Strickland is not running from his warrant, and that he has instead been having car troubles in the southern part of the country. They also said that hurricane weather is further hindering his arrival.
Hills told Wood TV that Strickland will be turning himself in “very soon.”
In addition to the sexual conduct charges, Strickland also faces an assault charge stemming from an incident in December 2019 involving a deacon at the church. According to MLive, that case will head to trial on September 30.
Jazmonique Strickland is currently not facing charges, but her lawyer had previously told WOOD TV that she may in the future.
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