A secretive Christian sect, known as the 2×2 Church, has been hit with shocking allegations of widespread child sexual abuse and coverups that have spanned decades. Many people have never even heard of this religious community, which operates in an unusually private way. Now, law enforcement and investigators are digging deep into its disturbing history.
As part of this investigation, dozens of alleged victims have come forward, sharing harrowing stories of abuse from more than 30 states across the U.S. One of the most high-profile cases involves Raymond Zwiefelhofer, a 61-year-old former tech CEO from Arizona. He was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material and, just last month, was sentenced to a staggering 120 years in prison.
According to Catherine Fu, a Deputy County Attorney in Maricopa County, investigators uncovered 87 files of child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as child pornography. “The 10 charged files included photos and videos of children under the age of 15 involved in disturbing sexual acts or exploitative behavior,” she explained.
Despite his conviction, Zwiefelhofer insists he’s innocent. “I’m not guilty. I want to make that very clear,” he said during his sentencing. “I’d love to know how the jury found that I knowingly did this.” Attempts to reach his attorney for comment have been unsuccessful.
Zwiefelhofer wasn’t just a tech executive; he was also deeply involved in the 2×2 Church, where he served as an elder for decades. Ex-members of the church told media outlets that elders lead small church gatherings in their homes, often with children present. The church’s unusual structure and secretive practices have raised serious concerns.
What sets the 2×2 Church apart is its unique way of operating. Ministers, known as “workers,” don’t have their own homes. Instead, they travel and stay with members for days at a time. This close, insular lifestyle has allowed abuse to go unnoticed—or worse, ignored—according to former members.
Allegations have surfaced that some church leaders knew about the abuse but didn’t report it to authorities. Instead, they allegedly moved accused abusers to other states, avoiding scrutiny. While the church doesn’t have a single leader, there are overseers—a small group of men who manage the community. None of them responded to requests for comment about these allegations, but those who spoke with media strongly denied any systemic abuse.
Private investigator Cynthia Liles has been digging into abuse claims within the 2×2 Church for years. She says she’s reported over 1,000 cases of child sexual abuse and assault to the FBI. “It’s a systemic issue,” Liles said. “This isn’t just a few bad apples. This is a problem from the highest levels of leadership down to regular members.”
The FBI launched an official investigation into the 2×2 Church in February and has urged anyone with information to come forward. Gene Kowel, the Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the bureau’s commitment to uncovering the truth. “We don’t stop with just one or two arrests,” he said. “We follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
As for Liles, she believes Zwiefelhofer’s case is just the beginning. “There are likely thousands of victims,” she said. “We’re hearing reports of abuse across the board—from top leaders to everyday members. Hopefully, this is just the start, and there will be more arrests and convictions soon.”
This story has brought national attention to the 2×2 Church, pulling back the curtain on a secretive community that many are now seeing in a disturbing new light.
