Royal Rangers Sexual Abuse Lawyer

As a subsidiary of Assemblies of God Church, the Royal Rangers organization is based on the Pentecostal Christian denomination. Like other religious organizations, the Royal Rangers organization has been accused of allowing youth leaders and other adults to sexually abuse many boys while also protecting child molesters from consequences.

If you or your child have been sexually abused by Royal Rangers volunteers or staff, you deserve justice. Injury Lawyer Team are here to help you take the next steps toward holding the responsible parties accountable.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team for Your Case

Injury Lawyer Team is a top-rated law firm specializing in personal injury cases, including sexual abuse. We strive to bring abusers to justice and afford survivors the compensation they need to heal.

Experience in Abuse Litigation

We have a proven track record of successful outcomes in sexual abuse cases, including those involving minors. Our clergy abuse lawyers have recovered millions in damages for clients and have won cases against major religious organizations, such as the Catholic Church.

Compassionate Representation

Our team understands that sexual abuse is highly traumatic and that it’s difficult to discuss these topics. As such, we strive always to protect your privacy and ensure your overall well-being throughout the sexual assault lawsuit process, shielding you from third parties and handling negotiations on your behalf.

Resources and Expertise

In addition to our experience with this type of litigation, we have access to a wealth of resources that allow us to thoroughly investigate the sexual assault of minors. These resources include private investigators, therapists, and expert witnesses. We’ll review all materials related to the abuse and develop a strong argument on your behalf.

Understanding the Royal Rangers Ministry

The Royal Rangers program is a faith-based activity program for young boys and men ages K-12. Its mission statement claims it is meant to “evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders” [1]. Since its founding in 1962, two million men and boys have been involved with the Royal Rangers program [2].

Structure and Leadership

Royal Rangers groups are connected to Assemblies of God churches and are called “outposts.” Each is arranged by a Royal Rangers leader, called a Commander, who must be at least 21 years old [3].

Leaders need to complete a Ranger Safety online course once every three years, which includes information about identifying and reporting child sexual abuse. They must also adhere to the “Commitment to Biblical Standards,” which provides that LGBTQ individuals cannot serve in the Royal Rangers [4].

The Royal Rangers are divided into eight regional districts. Each district controls the leaders in its region and reports concerns to the national leadership council.

Target Demographic

The Royal Rangers has four tiers of membership based on grade level, ranging from grades K-12. Only boys are allowed in the Royal Rangers program unless there is no adjacent program for girls in the same Assemblies of God church.

The Royal Rangers ministry primarily targets boys and young men, offering a range of activities designed to foster spiritual growth, leadership skills, and outdoor adventure. A Royal Rangers outpost will meet at least weekly, typically on Wednesdays or Sundays.

Meetings consist of Bible study, games, and skills-based activities, such as skateboarding, archery, carpentry, photography, or auto mechanics.

The Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Youth Organizations

While adults who get involved in youth organizations are typically honest and kind people, many children are sexually assaulted by legal guardians and trusted authority figures every year.

The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network notes that 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 are the victims of undesired sexual behavior, either called sexual assault or sexual molestation [5]. Organizations like the Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts, and other youth groups serve as convenient ways for child predators to gain access to underage children.

Statistics and Studies

While the Royal Rangers is a relatively small organization, sex abuse cases in other youth groups demonstrate the scope of the issue in organizations that cater to children. The most well-known example is the Boy Scouts of America, which was sued in a class action lawsuit consisting of 84,000 former Scouts [8].

Cases included in the class action suit date back to the 1960s, and the $850 million settlement amount was the largest ever awarded for a child molestation case.

More than 130 million children have been a part of the Boy Scouts of America since its inception in 1910 [9], making it likely that other victims did not join the sexual abuse lawsuit and may never have disclosed. Reports suggest that only about 38% of victims ever admit that child sex abuse occurred [10], and of those, only a small minority will pursue legal action.

Grooming Tactics

Child predators use numerous ways to identify potential victims and prime them for sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network outlines the typical pattern that predators use when grooming abuse victims.

• Victim Selection – Predators will assess their ease of access to a particular victim and their specific vulnerability, such as having an unstable home life.
• Gaining Exclusive Access to Children – By taking advantage of positions with easy access to children, such as joining a youth group, predators will start to emotionally or physically isolate a victim from others.
• Taking Advantage of Trust – Predators convince children that they have a unique relationship by offering gifts, sharing secrets, and listening to their problems. They will also ingratiate themselves with family to make themselves seem trustworthy.
• Desensitization to Sexual Topics – Before sexually abusing a minor, predators may start with harmless behaviors like hugging and tickling. When the child seems receptive, they’ll move on to more serious sexual abuse, such as showing the child inappropriate sexual content or giving massages.
• Normalizing the Behavior – Predators take care to be inconspicuous to avoid getting caught, so it may be difficult to identify the signs of grooming, especially in children [11].

In addition to the predator’s behavior, parents and legal guardians should look for behavioral changes in their child, such as acting distant, depression, frequent nightmares, or unusual discharge. If you notice many indisputable signs or your child discloses abuse, call our law firm immediately for a free consultation.

The Power Dynamic Between Victims and Church Leaders

Church leaders sexually abusing children brings a new level of manipulation and betrayal. The Royal Rangers program is connected to the Assemblies of God churches. It involves Biblical teachings, meaning predators can use their authority as spiritual leaders to convince their victims that their actions are justified.

The victims may also have to interact with the abuser regularly even if they leave the Royal Rangers, given that their parents may still make them attend church. This dynamic allows the predator more opportunities to harass or threaten victims into silence while maintaining their reputation as an active community member.

Specific Allegations Against Royal Rangers

Two sexual abuse lawsuits have brought the danger of Royal Rangers outposts to light.

The first, from 2017, accused the Albany First Assembly Church in Oregon, The Assemblies of God, Oregon District, and the General Council of the Assemblies of God of failing to protect minors [12].

An unnamed victim alleged that two youth group coordinators, Todd Clark and Ralph Wade Gantt, repeatedly assaulted him between 1984 and 1987. The men invited Royal Rangers participants to Clark’s home, which was on church property, and the child would wake to find one of the men molesting him, including touching his genitals.

Both Clark and Gantt had previously been arrested and convicted in the late 1980s for abusing four other boys. The church has denied the claims, and their district in Oregon filed to be removed from the suit. The judge rejected this filing.

In another case from 2020, Michael Schechterly of Penn County, Pennsylvania, was charged with indecent assault of a 12-year-old child who was part of the Royal Rangers. Known as “Commander Mike” to the boys in his outpost, Schechterly assaulted one child and touched his genitals in the child’s presence [13].

Though he attempted to get the case dismissed, he ultimately pled guilty to non-sexual corruption of minors.

Schechterly was also a magisterial district judge in Newport, Pennsylvania. After the allegations came to light, he was disbarred, never to serve in public office again [14].

Legal Rights of Royal Rangers Survivors

Our sexual abuse law firm will help protect your rights throughout the legal process, which includes the following.

Statute of Limitations

Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other personal injury cases, have a statute of limitations. This is how long after the sexual abuse you have to file a suit. This statute can vary depending on the jurisdiction; in some specific instances, it may be longer for children.

The statute of limitations may be as short as one year, so you must contact our law firm as soon as possible to ensure we can pursue compensation.

Types of Damages

A civil case is designed to seek financial compensation for the harm done by the defendant. This suit can include compensation for physical, emotional, and financial damage, including physical pain and emotional distress.

Holding Institutions Accountable

If the abuse occurred in conjunction with a youth group or other institution, you have the right to sue that organization for their failure to intervene despite being aware of the sex abuse. This can include negligent hiring practices as well as attempting to shield abusers from consequences by covering up important information.

Filing Sexual Abuse Lawsuits with Injury Lawyer Team

Filing a sexual abuse lawsuit is the first step toward healing and justice. The process includes the following elements.

Free and Confidential Consultation

After reporting the abuse to the authorities, reach out to us for a free claim review. We will evaluate the details of your case, determine its strength, and identify the parties who may be held liable.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence is a crucial element of these lawsuits. Information like medical records, private communications, and even a victim or perpetrator’s journal can help to bolster a claim. Additionally, we’ll gather witness testimony, such as other members of the church and fellow participants in the Royal Rangers, to get a complete picture of the abuse.

The Litigation Process

Next, we begin litigation. This process includes the following steps:

• Notifying Defendants – We will contact the defendants and inform them that we are pursuing compensation.
• Settlement Negotiations – Before going to trial, we attempt to settle out of court. In many cases, this is successful, and the process stops here.
• Filing a Lawsuit – If we are not able to settle, we’ll file a lawsuit.
• Discovery – We share the information we have gathered with the other parties.
• Pre-Trial Mediation – A judge will mediate in order to achieve a settlement without going to trial.
• Trial – If this is unsuccessful, we’ll present our evidence before a judge or jury.
• Appeals – We have a strong track record in sexual assault cases, but it may be necessary to file appeals. Each time we file an appeal, it goes to a higher appellate court. It is rare to get more than three appeals, but we will keep trying until we receive a positive verdict.

Let Experienced Sexual Abuse Lawyers Handle Your Case!

To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 866-757-6452 or use our online contact form.

Specific Cases We Handle

School Sexual Abuse
Soccer League
Southern Baptist Church
Statute of Limitations on Sex Abuse Lawsuits
The Lord’s Ranch Sexual Abuse

Resources: [1] Royal Rangers USA, [2] Royal Rangers USA, [3] Royal Rangers USA, [4] Royal Rangers USA, [5] RAINN, [6] Bitner Henry Insurance Group, [7] Community Advocates for Family & Youth, [8] NBC News, [9] Boy Scouts of America, [10] The National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect, [11] RAINN, [12] Springfield News-Leader, [13] Pennsylvania Attorney General, [14] Penn Live,