UPDATED::SC preacher accused of leading a cult arrested | The State

UPDATE::  Colleton County minister denies sexually assaulting church members: ‘We had a good time’

A Colleton County minister accused of sexually assaulting former church members denies the accusations against him in his first on-camera interview since his arrest in January 2018.

The Rev. Ralph Stair, who oversees Overcomer Ministry on Highway 61 in Canadys, agreed to be interviewed in May for a documentary that profiles one of his former church members.

The documentary, called “When God Comes,” is being produced by New York City photojournalist Andrew Theodorakis. The movie is centered on former church member and rapper Craig Mack, who died in March 2018.

Stair is charged with sexually assaulting four former female members of Overcomer Ministry. He was arrested after a Live 5 News investigation into the ministry that included interviews with some of his accusers.

UPDATE::  Authorities: Victim's parents arrested in sex assault case against South Carolina preacher

The parents of one of Ralph Gordon Stair's victims — a Colleton County preacher accused of sexual assault — have been arrested, authorities said on Thursday.
,,,
State Law Enforcement Division agents arrested by victim's father, Eric Lehr, Thursday morning, according to a statement by the agency.
,,,
The affidavit in Christyne's case describes her inaction.

When her daughter told her about the assault, Christyne told her that she would, "take care of it, and if (Stair) did anything wrong, then God will punish him," the affidavit said.

Eric learned about the assault in September and denied social workers and Dorchester County sheriff's deputies access to his daughter on Sept. 22, the affidavit said. The next day, Natosha's older sister took her from the home.

A South Carolina man who has been previously accused of sexual misconduct and of leading a cult in Colleton County was arrested Monday.

Ralph Gordon Stair, 84, was arrested by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Department and the State Law Enforcement Division on charges of assault with intent to commit first-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, kidnapping, first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and three counts of criminal sexual conduct, according to a news release by the sheriff’s department.

Stair, the founder of Overcomer Ministry in Colleton County, has been the subject of a state and federal criminal investigation since October, the Post and Courier reported.

SC preacher accused of leading a cult arrested | The State