Yearlong Investigation Exposes Widespread Child Sexual Abuse Allegations in Secretive 2×2 Church
A yearlong investigation by ABC News into the 2×2 Church, a little-known Christian sect characterized by extreme secrecy, has unveiled allegations of pervasive child sexual abuse and efforts to cover up the crimes.
The investigation revealed testimonies from dozens of alleged victims across more than 30 states, shedding light on a culture of systemic abuse within the tightly knit religious community.
Conviction in Arizona Highlights Abuse Allegations
One high-profile case emerged during the investigation involving Raymond Zwiefelhofer, a former tech CEO from Arizona and an elder within the 2×2 Church. Zwiefelhofer, 61, was convicted of 10 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and sentenced to 120 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, investigators discovered 87 files containing explicit material involving children under 15, with 10 specific files forming the basis of the charges.
“The 10 charged files were a combination of photos and videos, and they were all depicting children under the age of 15 engaged in either exploitative exhibition or sexual conduct,” said Catherine Fu, a Maricopa County Deputy Attorney.
Zwiefelhofer maintains his innocence, stating at his sentencing, “I’m not guilty. I would love to know how the jury found that I knowingly did this.”
Allegations of Cover-Ups and Leadership’s Role
Former members and private investigators allege that church leaders, known as “overseers,” systematically ignored or concealed abuse allegations. Instead of reporting offenders to authorities, abusers were often reassigned to different communities, exacerbating the problem.
Cynthia Liles, a private investigator, stated that the church’s insular nature has allowed the abuse to persist unchecked. “The 2×2 Church has a significant problem with child sexual abuse,” she said. “It’s systemic.”
Liles claims to have reported over 1,000 accounts of child sexual abuse and assault within the 2×2 Church community to the FBI.
The Church’s Structure
The 2×2 Church operates without a centralized governing body. Its ministers, known as “workers,” travel extensively and live temporarily with congregation members. This decentralized structure, critics say, has enabled abusers to evade scrutiny while remaining in close proximity to vulnerable individuals.
Former church members told investigators that children were often present during home-based services led by elders.
When approached by ABC News, current and former overseers denied widespread abuse within the community. However, the Arizona overseer connected to Zwiefelhofer did not respond to requests for comment.
FBI Investigation Ongoing
The FBI launched an investigation into the 2×2 Church earlier this year, urging potential victims to come forward. Special Agent Eugene Kowel, leading the investigation, emphasized the scope of the inquiry.
“The FBI doesn’t stop at just an initial arrest. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” Kowel said.
Private investigator Cynthia Liles believes Zwiefelhofer is just one of many. “We’re getting reports of child sexual abuse and assault committed by the highest level in leadership down to the regular members,” she said.
A Call for Accountability
The revelations have sparked calls for accountability and transparency within the 2×2 Church. Advocacy groups and former members are urging survivors to share their stories and pursue justice.
As the investigation continues, the FBI remains focused on uncovering the full extent of the abuse and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
