Pastor accused of paying teen boys to perform sex acts with wife, Michigan cops say
Rev. Stricjavvar ‘Strick’ Strickland, a prominent Kalamazoo pastor, is accused of paying teenage boys, between 15 and 17 years old, to perform sex acts with his wife while he watched and pleasured himself, media outlets in Michigan report.
“Per the reports, the defendant and his wife would use their employment at Phoenix High School (in Kalamazoo) and to some extent, the defendant would use his work as a pastor, to find male teens to engage in sexual activity with the wife, while the defendant watched and masturbated,” a Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor wrote in her bond recommendation, Michigan Live reported.
Strickland, who turned himself in to authorities Tuesday, called the accusations “absolutely preposterous,” according to Michigan Live.
“All I can say for now is that we are prepared for this fight,” the pastor said. “God will prevail.”
Strickland, 37, is charged with 11 felonies, including four counts of human trafficking, four counts of third-degree sexual assault, and three counts of child sexually abusive activity with an individual aged 13-15, WOOD reported.
The charges come nearly two years after two victims came forward and Michigan State Police searched Strickland’s home.
The Strickland’s have maintained their innocence since 2018, WWMT reported.
So far, no charges have been brought against his wife, Jazmonique Strickland, according to the station.
