Former Church Leader Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexual Abuse

Charles Sulivant abused girls at a Shawnee, Oklahoma church where he was a board member.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:40am

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A former board member of a Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, Oklahoma has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing girls at the church. Charles Sulivant entered a blind guilty plea to the charges and will serve over two decades behind bars.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual abuse within religious institutions and the importance of accountability for those in positions of power who betray the trust of vulnerable members of their community.

The details

Sulivant, who was a board member at the Shawnee church, admitted to sexually abusing multiple young girls who attended the church. He entered a blind guilty plea, meaning he did not negotiate a deal with prosecutors, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

  • Sulivant was sentenced on March 17, 2026.

The players

Charles Sulivant

A former board member at a Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, Oklahoma who sexually abused girls at the church.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the urgent need for religious institutions to have robust safeguards and reporting mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable members from predatory behavior by those in positions of trust and authority.