KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A former Kalamazoo pastor accused of paying teens for sex has had his sentencing delayed again, because his house recently burned down.
Court documents say former Second Baptist Church pastor Strick Strickland’s sentencing date has now been moved to January 30, 2023, after his house burned on Thanksgiving while his family was at a relative’s for dinner. The court order says Strickland, his wife, and their nine children are homeless.
His sentencing was originally set for October 31 but was rescheduled for next week.
WOOD-TV 8 says in 2020, Strickland was charged with 11 felony counts after a Michigan State Police investigation alleged he and his wife used their positions within their church and Kalamazoo Public Schools to coerce four teen boys into sex between 2015 and 2018.
In August, Strickland entered into a plea deal, pleading guilty to a count of knowingly offering to sell transportation services for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. The other charges were expected to be dismissed at sentencing.
Strickland’s wife was also originally charged, but the case against her was dismissed.
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