The Royal Rangers is a Christian youth program founded in the 1960s that operates through churches, particularly those affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The program serves boys and young men and combines Bible study, outdoor activities, and mentorship from adult volunteers.
For decades, the Royal Rangers served millions of boys across the U.S. and was often viewed as a rite of passage within many church communities. In recent years, however, dozens of survivors have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse.
Royal Rangers abuse survivors have described patterns of inadequate oversight within the program. In some cases, warnings or concerns about inappropriate behavior were allegedly ignored, minimized, or not properly reported, allowing accused leaders to continue working with children.
“Why would you not protect the next generation from predators?”
– Mother of Royal Rangers Abuse Survivor
At Sokolove Law, we believe that institutions should be held accountable when they fail to protect those in their care. If you or a loved one suffered Royal Rangers abuse, we may be able to fight for you.
What’s the Royal Rangers Scandal About?
The Royal Rangers has often been described as a church-run alternative to the Boy Scouts, offering similar activities but operating through local Assemblies of God churches. Like the Boy Scouts, the program has faced growing scrutiny over sexual abuse allegations.
More than two dozen adults affiliated with the Royal Rangers have been accused of sexually abusing boys over many decades. The abuse reportedly began in the 1970s and impacted children in Royal Rangers chapters nationwide.
The Royal Rangers scandal involves reports that:
- At least 29 Royal Rangers leaders and volunteers have been accused of child sexual abuse.
- The men allegedly abused at least 83 boys in the Royal Rangers, as well as dozens of children outside the program.
- The alleged assaults spanned more than 50 years, impacting multiple generations of children.
- Children were allegedly assaulted in multiple settings, including camping trips, church events, and sleepovers connected to the program.
- The abuse included grooming, molestation, rape, and production of child sexual abuse material.
Assemblies of God lawsuits accuse church officials of covering up abuse allegations by handling them internally instead of reporting them to the authorities, allowing predators to continue harming children.
Over the past 4 years alone, survivors have filed at least 17 Royal Rangers and Assemblies of God lawsuits, alleging abuse and institutional negligence as they seek accountability for longstanding patterns of harm.
Royal Rangers & Assemblies of God Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The allegations involving Royal Rangers extend beyond individual abusers to broader claims that institutional gaps allowed abuse to persist for decades.
Because the program operated through largely autonomous local chapters, there was no centralized system to track accused leaders or prevent them from moving between churches or continuing to work with children.
Assemblies of God lawsuits allege institutional failures, including:
- Failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse to the police
- Not properly screening or performing background checks on adult volunteers
- Allowing accused leaders continued access to children after warnings or complaints
- Lacking consistent safety policies across chapters
- Prioritizing reputation management over child safety
“That’s what gets me choked up every time. The church never did anything.”
– Travis Reger, Royal Rangers Abuse Survivor
For many survivors, these failures were as damaging as the abuse itself, reinforcing feelings of betrayal by institutions that were expected to protect them. Assemblies of God lawsuits allow survivors to seek accountability and make their voices heard.
Royal Rangers Abuse Cases Show a Widespread Pattern
Royal Rangers sexual abuse allegations have surfaced in multiple states across the country, spanning decades and involving different congregations, leaders, and circumstances.
Royal Rangers sexual abuse cases include:
- Alabama: Brandon Champion alleged that his Royal Rangers commander, Samuel Arthur Thompson, sexually abused him for 2 years, beginning when he was 13. Champion claimed he reported the abuse to his pastor, but no action was taken. Thompson was later convicted and sentenced to 3 years in prison. Years later, on new charges, he was labeled a “prolific child molester” and sentenced to 220 years.
- Lakeland, Florida: A Royal Rangers lawsuit filed in March 2025 alleges that a troop commander, Walter Steverson, repeatedly abused a 7-year-old boy in the 1980s. Even though the boy spoke up, his report was ignored, and the man was later arrested on charges of harming other boys and convicted of lewd conduct, according to reports.
- Florida: A longtime Royal Rangers leader was arrested after an abandoned storage unit he once rented was auctioned off. The buyer discovered a photo album of nude children titled “Boys Will Be Boys!” along with Polaroid photographs of a naked child. The man reportedly turned over hundreds more images and confessed to sexually abusing boys over 3 decades.
- Illinois: A Royal Rangers leader convicted of sexually abusing boys from his troop told authorities he had molested as many as 75 children.
- Oregon: Two Royal Rangers leaders, Ralph Wade Gantt and Todd Scott Clark, were convicted in 1988 of sexually abusing boys in their troop. At least 15 additional boys later described abuse ranging from being watched in the shower to rape. Gantt was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Clark received a 15-year sentence.
- Pennsylvania: A Pennsylvania judge who volunteered with the Royal Rangers pleaded guilty in 2021 to abusing minors after luring children to his home with activities and crafts.
- Texas: Royal Rangers leader Ryan Anthony Winner is accused of sexually abusing a 6-year-old boy and threatening to kill the child’s family if he told. Over roughly 2 years, Winner also recorded nude photos and videos of the child. He was arrested in 2015 and sentenced to 60 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material.
Taken together, these cases suggest that Royal Rangers sexual abuse allegations were not isolated incidents, but widespread and connected by similar failures in oversight.
Assemblies of God & Royal Rangers Sexual Abuse Settlements
The Assemblies of God has settled multiple sexual abuse lawsuits tied to abuse allegations involving the Royal Rangers program. While settlement terms are often confidential, these cases show that survivors have been able to secure accountability through the civil justice system.
Although no settlement or verdict can undo the harm caused by childhood sexual abuse, legal action can provide survivors with a path toward acknowledgment, financial support for recovery, and a measure of justice.
Oregon Royal Rangers Lawsuit Settled Before Trial
In 2021, the Assemblies of God agreed to settle a Royal Rangers sexual abuse lawsuit in Oregon after a trial date was scheduled, avoiding what would have been the first case to put the Pentecostal denomination before a jury as a defendant in a sexual abuse lawsuit.
Three survivors claimed the denomination was responsible for abuse that occurred in a Royal Rangers troop in the 1980s. Before agreeing to settle, the church tried to escape accountability by filing more than a dozen motions to dismiss and three appeals to the state supreme court.
The survivors, who alleged they were between the ages of 10 and 17 when the abuse occurred, claimed they didn’t know they had been abused until later in life.
Previous Royal Rangers Abuse Settlements
Two Assemblies of God lawsuit settlements were reached in 1990 and 2017. Those cases also involved allegations that church-related failures allowed abuse to occur within Royal Rangers programs.
The Royal Rangers lawsuits sought damages ranging from $5 Million to $42 Million, though the actual settlement amounts were not made public as they were protected by nondisclosure agreements.
For many survivors, civil settlements provide a path to accountability when abuse happened decades ago and criminal prosecution is no longer possible.
Seeking Justice from a Royal Rangers Lawsuit
When a youth program or church fails to protect children from sexual abuse, survivors may have the right to pursue accountability through the civil justice system.
In cases involving Royal Rangers and Assemblies of God churches, legal action can provide a path for survivors to seek responsibility beyond the individual abuser.
By filing a civil lawsuit, survivors may pursue compensation for harm related to the abuse, like medical care, counseling and therapy, lost income, and emotional distress. These lawsuits can also encourage safer policies and help prevent similar abuse from happening to others.
Survivors should also know that statutes of limitations vary by state. Many states have expanded or temporarily suspended these time limits for childhood sexual abuse claims, giving survivors additional time to come forward and seek justice, even decades after the abuse occurred.
Let Our Royal Rangers Abuse Lawyers Fight for You
At Sokolove Law, our sexual abuse lawyers are here to stand up for survivors. We understand the warning signs of abuse, know how these cases are built, and work to uncover the evidence needed to pursue accountability on your behalf.
Why choose Sokolove Law?
- Over 45 years of experience advocating for survivors nationwide
- Thousands of clients helped across the United States
- A proven record holding large institutions accountable
- No upfront costs or hourly fees — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
- More than $10.2 Billion total recovered for clients in all 50 states
We approach every case with compassion for survivors and determination to hold those accused of wrongdoing accountable. Our team is here to give you a voice in the civil justice system and guide you through each step of the legal process.
Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our contact form for a free case review. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your options, and there’s no cost to speak with us.
