Bradley Earl Reger was recently indicted on multiple charges of sexual abuse against boys and young men during his time as a nurse and counselor at Juneau’s Echo Ranch Bible Camp. Reger, who is now 67, was associated with the camp since the 1970s, and abused the boys under the guise of providing medical care and spiritual guidance.
Federal investigators believe there may be hundreds of victims, based on how long Reger worked for the Juneau bible camp. The indictment against Reger was issued in July 2023, when he was charged with “illicit sexual activity abroad, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and coercion and enticement.”
The victims were abused on camping trips in other states, including Alaska. The indictment states that Reger intentionally “enticed and induced multiple victims to travel out of California on camping trips or church-affiliated missions” for the purpose of sexually abusing them. On July 21, 2023, Reger pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Were you sexually assaulted by Bradley Earl Reger while you were attending Echo Ranch Bible Camp? If so, please take some time to learn about your legal options from a Juneau bible camp sexual assault attorney. Under Assembly Bill-218, adult survivors of child sexual abuse have more time than ever to file a lawsuit and receive justice for the harm they suffered. For more information on your right to sue for sexual abuse of a minor, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
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Reger’s History with Juneau Bible Camp
According to Avant Ministries (parent organization of the Juneau bible camp), Reger was not a camp employee, but a volunteer “in the 1970’s and sporadically over years that followed.”
Based on writings about the camp for their 50
th
anniversary, Reger is referred to as a counselor, who was with the camp since the early 1970s. He was a boy’s counselor for several years, and later obtained medical training to become a nurse and EMT. Unfortunately, he used his credentials to gain access to boys that were staying at the camp. Former victim, Troy Wilson, spoke of his meeting with Reger in the 70s, when his parents work for the Echo Ranch Bible Camp.
Because Reger was a trusted member of the camp, Wilson’s parents allowed him to go on road trips with Reger and several other boys. According to Wilson, Reger sexually assaulted him on one of these trips under the guise of checking him for ticks. Another incident involved Reger offering to examine him when he was suffering from back pain. The assault left Wilson angry and confused, but he didn’t report the abuse to the police.
But other people did, and we know for a fact that there were police complaints dating back to 1986. There were also investigations by Susanville police in 2003, 2006, and 2007, but unfortunately, none of these resulted in criminal charges.
Who is Responsible when a Child is Sexually Abused?
Liability is a complex issue in cases of sexual abuse against children, as the abuser may not be the only party that’s responsible. For one thing, it’s clear that Reger met his victims through his many years as a volunteer at Echo Ranch Bible Camp. We also know that there were at least 4 victims that went to the police. It stands to reason that they also complained to camp officials, including Avant Ministries.
It’s essential to investigate what the organization knew and for how long they were aware of inappropriate interactions between Reger and the children at their camp. Did they try to hide information about sexual abuse incidents or talk the victims out of going to the police? If they did know of Reger’s activities, why was he allowed to continue working with boys at the camp for so many years?
Sadly, we see this time and time again, where major organizations cover up for the abuser. The Catholic Church, USA Gymnastics, and USA Cheer are just some of the entities with a history of enabling child sexual predators. If Avant Ministries and Echo Ranch failed to report the abuse and take immediate action to protect children in their camp, they can be sued in a lawsuit for child sexual abuse, along with Reger.
Child Sexual Assault Average Case Values
These cases are associated with high settlement values for a number of reasons, including the physical and psychological impact of sexual abuse during childhood. Based on clients we have represented over the years, case values typically exceed $1,000,000. Depending on the number of incidents, the acts of abuse, the age of the victim, and many other factors, a child sexual assault settlement may be $3,000,000 or more. Keep in mind that the effects of sexual abuse are unique to each victim, and you should not base the potential value of your case on other people’s settlements. Our lawyers can help you determine the payment amount that’s right for you, so please contact us to schedule a free case review.
Time Limit to File a Lawsuit
We mentioned Assembly Bill-218 at the beginning of this article, and the increased amount of time that victims have to seek justice for acts of sexual assault. As of January 1, 2020, childhood sex abuse victims have up to 22 years after turning the age of majority (40 years old) to file a claim for monetary damages. In addition, the statute of limitations was amended to allow lawsuits for up to 5 years after the discovery of child sexual assault. Victims, for example, may have repressed the memory of being abused, or they were unaware that what had happened to them was sexual assault under California law.
Your deadline for a lawsuit is based on the date that comes later, which is a way to provide victims as much time as possible to demand justice from the liable entities. As you can see, there may be time to hold Reger and Echo Ranch Bible Camp accountable for what was done to you. To discuss your eligibility for a child sexual assault injury claim, please give us a call.
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How Long Does it Take to Settle a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit?
Cases involving sexual abuse of a child can take considerable time to resolve, especially if the incidents go back many years. But even recent incidents are not something most organizations want to be associated with, especially religious entities like Echo Ranch Bible Camp. We also have to consider the type of legal action that’s being taken by the victim. Are they filing a claim on their own, or are they participating with others in a class action lawsuit?
Generally, we find that the settlement process takes one or more years, and possibly up to several years if the case goes to trial. The good news is that most sex abuse claims are settled out of court, as most abusers and the organizations that enabled them are eager to avoid the trial process. Still, reaching a settlement that’s fair to the victim and their loved ones can take 12 to 18 months on average.
Free Legal Services for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The fact that there is no such thing as closure is one of the tragic consequences of sexual abuse during childhood. However, there are ways for sexual assault victims to move forward with their lives. Taking legal action through the criminal and civil courts is one of these methods, and that’s the motivation behind everything we do here at Normandie Law Firm.
If you were sexually assaulted by Bradley Earl Reger or any other adult at Juneau’s Echo Ranch Bible Camp, we can educate you on your rights and help you decide on the best course of action. If you are interested in pursuing a sexual abuse lawsuit, you won’t be charged any legal fees under the Zero Fee Guarantee. All expenses related to your case are paid for by the other party at the end of our case. In essence, we receive payment as a condition of winning your case, and that’s the only way we get paid.
To speak with a California child sexual assault lawyer, please schedule a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience.
