2002
Aug
29
Holland, Michigan police arrested a man for child molestation, reports the Holland Sentinel. The man, identified only as “Eash,” was the “counselor” or “leader” of a small group composed of former Amish. Eash himself is a former member of an Amish community. A report filed at court in Holland described the man as a “cult leader.”
Allegedly Eash used his position of authority in the group to sexually exploit a 14-year-old boy.
The small “cult” has a history of notoriety. In 1990 Ted Patrick, a well known “cult deprogrammer,” assisted an Amish family in rescuing their daughter from Eash’s control. The story of that intervention effort was reported in the LA Times. More than a decade later it now appears that the family’s fears were justified.
