Update: Stair has waved his rights to a bond hearing. See details and video at bottom of page.
I’m sure many–if not a majority of–shortwave listeners have heard the Overcomer Ministry on the air via various private broadcasters. Ralph G. Stair, the leader and voice of Overcomer was taken into custody this morning on eight criminal charges. I’m personally not a fan of Overcomer and I don’t typically post this sort of news content, but if Overcomer is eventually shut down, private broadcasters will certainly notice the loss of income stream. Could be profound to smaller stations.
For details and commenting, check out the story on the Waterboro Live website:
Update | Arrest of Brother Ralph Stair confirmed on multiple charges | News | The Press and Standard
(Photo source: Overcomer Ministries)
Colleton County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived at the Overcomer Ministry at 12680 Augusta Highway early Monday morning to take Ralph G. Stair, the leader of the religious compound, into custody on eight criminal charges.
Lt. Tyger Benton, public information officer of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said a large contingent of law enforcement officers arrived at the church compound Monday at approximately 7:30 a.m. to take Stair, 84, into custody.
The charges, all filed by the sheriff’s office investigators, include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and single counts of assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, and third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Stair was transported to the Colleton County Detention Center on the charges and is expected to have a bond hearing Monday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office personnel arriving enmass at the compound were joined by agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations.[…]
Click here to continue reading the full story.
Update:
(Source: Live 5 News)
Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports
Alleged Colleton Co. cult preacher charged with 8 counts waives bond hearing
COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) –
The accused leader of a cult in Colleton County facing eight criminal counts waived his right to a bond hearing Monday afternoon.Ralph Stair, 84, has been charged with a total of eight charges. The charges include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with intent to commit first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping, one count of burglary, one count of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Stair was arrested Monday morning two months after a Live 5 News investigation.
Agents with the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI, and Colleton County Sheriff’s deputies worked together to make the arrest at 7:48 a.m. Monday at the Overcomer Ministry on Augusta Highway in Walterboro, according to Colleton Co. Sheriff’s Lt. Tyger Benton.
A search warrant for the property was also executed, he said.
Stair was located on the property and taken into custody without incident, Benton said.[…]