.jpg)
A Kentucky worship leader who was a former member of the resident artist at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter is in custody after he was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.
According to the Boone County Sheriff's office, late last year, a victim, who was a minor when the abuse began, reported to detectives that he had been sexually abused for many years by 36-year-old Michael Howard.
The victim began working for Howard in the fall of 2019. The pair also attended the same church. The Boone County Sheriff's office says the following spring, when the victim was just 15 years old, Howard allegedly started sending sexually explicit messages. Later that year, Howard began sexually abusing the teen and this continued for four years.
Detectives conducted additional interviews and learned that Howard had made admissions regarding his "3-4 year" relationship.
On Jan. 2, 2025, Howard was arrested. He faces a long list of charges including 40 counts of first-degree sexual abuse and 40 counts of third-degree sodomy.
He remains in custody.