A former minister within the 2x2s Christian fundamentalist group has been acquitted of historical sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges dating back to 1989. Justice Michael Stephens, in his ruling, stated that the Crown failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, noting the challenging nature of the case.
During the trial held in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, only one witness, Lyndell Montgomery, came forward to testify about incidents allegedly occurring in Terrace, Delta, and Surrey when she was 14 and 15 years old. Montgomery, who was adopted into a devout 2x2s family as an infant, had been placed under the care of the accused, Lee-Ann McChesney, a minister in the church, at the time of the accusations.
Montgomery opted not to be subject to a publication ban, a common practice in cases involving child or youth sexual abuse. McChesney chose not to comment outside the court, and no other 2x2s leader was present during the proceedings. Montgomery received support from numerous individuals in the courtroom during the trial and later expressed her lack of regret for pursuing legal action.
The case in New Westminster is among a few instances in Canada where 2x2s complainants have reported church members to the authorities for criminal offenses, despite numerous allegations of child sexual abuse and mistreatment documented by independent researchers. Two years ago, the FBI initiated an investigation into the 2x2s, urging individuals with knowledge of abuse within the sect to come forward.
The 2x2s, a global organization, operate without an official name and are described by former members as having a controlling, insular, and secretive nature. Ministry activities are conducted in the homes of believers or rented spaces, with ministers, known as “workers,” lacking formal training. The FBI probe was prompted by a surge in abuse allegations following the death of overseer Dean Bruer in 2022, who was accused of engaging in predatory behavior.
Following Bruer’s demise, former member Cynthia Liles established a non-profit, 2x2s Church Accountability, to address abuse within the sect. Liles alleges that 2x2s leadership has long disregarded reports of child sexual abuse and shielded perpetrators. She highlighted the need for accountability and action within the organization.
Support for Montgomery during the trial also came from Jen Barth, a former 2x2s member involved in a separate case where a minister pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. Barth criticized the lack of accountability within the 2x2s group, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the necessity for a proactive response to such issues.