New sexual assault allegations involving a young boy surfaced in the Royal Rangers church program in November 2020.

A Pennsylvania judge who served as a leader of the small group church ministry for boys has been accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old and authorities believe there may be other victims.

Perry County Magisterial District Judge Michael Schechterly now faces charges of unlawful contact with children, corruption of minors and indecent assault, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Pennsylvania State Police began investigating the 58-year-old judge after concerns from community members who reported he would often bring children into his district court office and home. Authorities noted Schechterly was in contact with several children through the Royal Rangers program at his church, where he served as “Commander Mike.”

The Royal Rangers program works with boys ages K–12 and says it aims to “evangelize, equip and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders,” according to the program’s website. But the program also has a history of sexual assault allegations.

In 2018, six men from Oregon filed a lawsuit against the Albany First Assembly church, alleging they were sexually abused as children in the 1980s, some as young as 10 years old, by two Royal Rangers youth leaders. Similar claims were made in a separate lawsuit in 2016.

Attorneys who filed the 2018 complaint alleged the youth leaders “abused their position of leadership, trust, and respect as church leaders and mentors to repeatedly sexually abuse all six of these boys” and said both men were ultimately convicted of child sexual abuse in 1988.

Now, investigators said accusations of sexual assault have surfaced involving a 12-year-old boy at Schechterly’s home and someone reported seeing Schechterly touch his genitals while in the presence of a child, a release from Shapiro’s office stated.

Officials also believe other children may have been impacted as well.

“Serious allegations show this judge violated the trust that the citizens of Perry County placed in him by sexually abusing a little boy,” Shapiro said in a statement. “There may be other victims.” Shapiro asked the public to call the Pennsylvania State Police hotline with any information about Schechterly.

“We will hold the powerful and well-connected accountable to law just like everyone else. My office will investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their authority to harm Pennsylvanians, no matter what position of power they may hold.”

On their website, the Royal Rangers note ways to manage the “risk of child molestation in churches.” Included on that list is that “Church leaders need to review current policies and be prepared to take additional steps to protect minors.”

Filing a Royal Rangers Lawsuit

A growing number of survivors are coming forward with allegations of sexual abuse in their childhood, within religious institutions, schools, and youth organizations, including the Royal Rangers. Some states have recently updated their sexual abuse laws to allow survivors more time to come forward.

If you or someone you love has suffered from abuse within the Royal Rangers or another youth organization, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by abuse, but it can at least provide some compensation, as well as help to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and inactions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Attorneys investigating claims are looking to speak with anyone in the following states who believes they may have experienced sexual abuse of any kind while in the Royal Rangers program:

• California
• North Carolina
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

Learn your rights by filling out the form on this page.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.