Key Takeaways
- Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. has been charged with felony sexual assault involving a vulnerable adult inside his church office.
- He was previously charged in 2019 in a separate sexual assault case involving a student.
- Allegations spanning nearly two decades raise concerns about potential institutional failure.
Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. Arrested & Charged with Sexual Assault
Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr., a pastor in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is facing felony charges of second-degree sexual assault following an investigation by the Kenosha Police Department.
The investigation began on February 21, 2026, after authorities received a report of sexual assault and referred the case to the department’s Sensitive Crimes Unit.
“Detectives conducted an extensive investigation into the incident” and ultimately established probable cause to arrest Tolefree.
Prior to his arrest, police issued a public notice on March 13, 2026, identifying him as a “wanted person” and requesting assistance from the public in locating him, noting his “numerous ties to the Kenosha community.”
He was taken into custody on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and was released on Wednesday, March 18, after posting bail. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, he has been charged with second-degree sexual assault resulting in injury, and second-degree sexual assault of a victim with a mental illness or deficiency, both felonies.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2026.
Anyone with information about this case can contact Detective Bray with the Kenosha Police Department at 262-605-5269. The department’s non-emergency lines are: 262-605-5203 and 262-656-1234.
Allegations Involving a Vulnerable Parishioner
According to WGTD, Tolefree is “accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled parishioner” inside the church, including in his office, between December 2025 and February 2026 at Greater Mt. Hebron Kingdom Cathedral Church in Kenosha, where he pastors. According to authorities, he used his role to both isolate and control the victim.
“According to the criminal complaint, Tolefree allegedly had sexual contact with the 29-year-old woman on four occasions inside the [church]. The woman has the mental capacity of an eight or nine year-old, according to her parents.” (WGTD)
The woman’s parents had grown concerned that Tolefree was isolating their daughter from family and friends while maintaining frequent communication with her through social media.
After disclosing her story, the woman reportedly attempted to take her own life.
Statements from the Victim’s Father
According to Kenosha County Eye, the victim’s father, Marcus, “referred to Tolefree as a ‘serial rapist’ and accused both him and his wife of exploiting his daughter’s mental illness and trust.
Marcus told KCE his daughter has been left at a child-like level of functioning and requires constant supervision due to ongoing suicidal thoughts and fear tied to the alleged abuse.
Marcus also told KCE that Tolefree’s wife — who served as the victim’s therapist — was aware of the abuse and failed to act, even allegedly discouraging the victim from speaking out and telling her to stop taking prescribed medication because ‘God will heal you.'”
Tolefree’s wife is now being scrutinized for the role she allegedly played in the case.
A Timeline of Roles
Before becoming a pastor, Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. held multiple leadership roles at various schools.
He worked as Dean of Students at Bradford High School in Kenosha, WI, during the 2008–2009 school year.
“Tolefree left Bradford in 2009 to become assistant principal at Washington Middle School in the Kenosha Unified School District.” (Patch)
He returned to Bradford High School in 2012 as an assistant principal before being hired in 2014 as principal of Washington Middle School. However, he resigned from Washington Middle School in 2018 as a result of an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with his subordinates.
Tolefree was later hired by Zion Elementary School District as the principal at Beulah Park Elementary School in Zion, Illinois, According to reporting, the district placed him on administrative leave in 2019 after learning he was facing criminal charges in Kenosha.
2019 Criminal Charges Involving a Student
In 2019, Tolefree was charged with three felony counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff and two misdemeanor counts of exposing genitals to a child.
According to reporting by ABC 7, “The charges stem from claims a woman made to Kenosha police in the fall of 2018, alleging that in 2008 when she was a 17-year-old junior at Bradford High School, and Tolefree was Dean of Students there, the two had a relationship which continued into the following year.”
Per news reports, the victim told investigators that they went on to have sex “in his office ‘just about every day at school during her junior year.’”
According to the complaint, the student reported that she was frequently sent to Tolefree’s office for disciplinary reasons and began spending increasing amounts of time there, eventually eating lunch in his office on a daily basis. She also told investigators that the office window had been “covered with construction paper,” so no one could see anything when the door was closed.
Prosecutors alleged Tolefree would call the student out of class to his office, where sexual encounters occurred during the school day.
Encounters also allegedly happened outside of school, including at Tolefree’s home, in his vehicle, and at hotels. According to the complaint, “she viewed him as her best friend.”
When the student later began a relationship with another individual in 2010, Tolefree allegedly expressed jealousy, despite being married himself.
Tolefree left Bradford High School in 2009 for the role of assistant principal at Washington Middle School.
According to Kenosha County Eye, “On October 3, 2025, Deputy District Attorney Rosa Delgado moved to dismiss the case, citing witness-availability issues. Ten days later, on October 13, Judge Anthony Milisauskas granted the motion and dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could theoretically refile the charges in the future.”
The dismissal was not based on a determination of innocence.
Following the dismissal, Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. publicly credited his faith, stating that “[his] unwavering belief that [God] would do exactly what He said He would do brings [him] great joy.”
He also expressed regret that some individuals he had worked with or taught “may have questioned” his character, and stated that his passion for ministry had grown stronger.
2018 Investigation and Statement of Charges
Separate from the student allegations, a report was made in May 2018 involving an alleged inappropriate relationship between Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. and a subordinate employee at Washington Middle School, which created an “intimidating and hostile environment.”
“In July 2018, Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis called for a termination hearing to remove Tolefree from his $110,000-a-year job as principal, filing a 10-page list of charges.” (Patch)
According to the district’s findings, Tolefree engaged in two “inappropriate sexual relationships with subordinate employees in violation of Board Policy 4111 related to Employee Harassment.” The findings state that these relationships created a hostile work environment and “undermined the integrity of the educational environment at Washington Middle School.”
The statement of charges further describes a pattern of manipulative and controlling behavior, including allegations that Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. used his position of authority to intimidate staff.
Tolefree ultimately resigned from his position while the district’s investigation was ongoing.
Apostle Curtiss Tolefree Jr., preaching a sermon, “Healed Heart Pt. 2” at Mt. Hebron Kingdom Cathedral, quoting Matthew 5:8 and emphasizing the importance of having a “pure” heart.
How Spiritual Authority May Be Misused
Senior pastor Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. aka, “Our Leader,” is presented as the central spiritual authority guiding the congregation of Greater Mt. Hebron Kingdom Cathedral Church, established in 1965.
He is also the “Presiding Prelate” of Kingdom Living Fellowship of Churches & Ministries.
Described as an “Apostle” and “Visionary,” he says his career took an “abrupt turn of events,” which he portrays as part of a divine plan, describing his time in education as an “internship” meant to prepare him for spiritual leadership.
“As a former educator and leader in education, Apostle Curtiss has always turned the most failing schools, classrooms, and students into those that have achieved the most significant learning gains. However, being formerly trained, with 2 master’s degrees in education, his career took an abrupt turn of events. However, Apostle Curtiss is thankful for it all. The Heavenly Father reminded Him that this was not His will for his life. It was just an internship to equip him with the tools to help him better serve the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In many faith communities, leaders who are seen as confident, engaging, and spiritually gifted can inspire deep trust and loyalty—particularly among individuals seeking guidance or support.
In some situations, that trust and authority may be misused to shape perception, influence behavior, or discourage individuals from questioning what they are experiencing, making it more difficult to recognize or report abuse.
The way events are framed can also shape how they are understood. For example, when serious allegations are characterized as a “setback” or reframed as part of a “higher purpose,” attention may shift away from questions of accountability.
These dynamics raise important questions about influence, trust, and accountability.
The Impact on Survivors
Experiencing sexual abuse is deeply traumatic, particularly when the abuse involves someone in a position of trust or authority.
Survivors may struggle with:
- Emotional and psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Feelings of confusion, shame, self-blame, or isolation
- Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
When abuse occurs within a religious setting, the impact can be very complex.
Survivors may experience spiritual confusion, as well as internal conflict between belief systems and lived experiences.
Abuse is not only violation of physical boundaries. It can also disrupt a person’s sense of safety, trust, and meaning in the world.
Healing is possible, but it requires time, support, and access to trauma-informed care.
Institutional Responsibility
While the criminal case will determine Tolefree’s guilt or innocence, civil law serves a different purpose. It examines whether abuse could have been prevented, and whether individuals or institutions failed in their duty to protect others.
Individuals or institutions may be held accountable if they:
- Failed to respond appropriately to complaints, reports, or warning signs
- Allowed unsupervised or inappropriate access to vulnerable individuals
- Did not implement, enforce, or follow safety policies and procedures
- Ignored prior allegations or patterns of concerning behavior
- Continued to place individuals in positions of authority despite known risks
Civil lawsuits can provide survivors with financial resources for therapy, medical care, and long-term support, while helping to drive institutional reform and reduce the risk of harm to others.
If You Were Harmed by Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr. or another authority figure or religious leader, you are not alone.
There may be civil legal options available to you, particularly if the abuse was enabled by unchecked authority or institutional inaction.
Andreozzi + Foote is a civil law firm dedicated to representing survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation nationwide. Our firm focuses on holding the institutions that enabled harm accountable.
Speaking with our firm does not obligate you to take legal action, but it can help you to understand your rights and options.
You deserve to be heard, and you deserve justice.
Contact us today.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Left: Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr., courtesy of CBS. Right: Mugshot of Curtiss Wayne Tolefree Jr., courtesy of Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Inquiry. Background: Greater Mt. Hebron Kingdom Cathedral Church, © Google, Google Maps.
