Christian Camp Director Accused of Sexual Battery

A well known Rhea County Christian leader faces serious allegations Wednesday night.

"He was an icon, everybody loved Big Mike," Tim Walterbach, the Executive Director of the Fort Bluff Camp, says.

Tim Walterbach says that's why Mike Crain's recent arrest on three counts of sexual battery astounded people across the country.

"They're shocked and saddened by the situation as we are and yes a big part of my job has been mending broken hearts," Walterbach says.

Walterbach took over as Director of the Fort Bluff Camp on Labor Day. Crain built the Christian camp on top of Dayton Mountain during the '70s. The camp now hosts around 10,000 kids a year.

"I've known Mike Crain ever since I've lived in Dayton, Tennessee," Rhea County Investigator Rocky Potter says.

That's why Potter says he was surprised when two women, one a juvenile and one in her forties, came to him and waged hefty allegations against the former Christian camp Director.

"While they were employed at Fort Bluff camp they advised that they were sexually assaulted by Mike Crain," Potter says.

Potter says the juvenile says Crain sexually assaulted her twice, both in May and August of this year. The grand jury indicted Crain this month and he was arrested on Friday.

Walterbach tells us Crain suffered a stroke in 2007 which left him with cognitive dementia.

"This dementia has reduced him to at times what I've heard a sixth grader mentally wise," Walterbach says.

Walterbach says he does not know if that played into the current allegations, but on a foggy day in Rhea County he says one thing is clear.

"Their children are safe, we have new leadership. I can't speak to what happened in the past, that will all come out in the trial but we have a bunch of dedicated people ready to serve these kids and present the Gospel of Christ to them," Walterbach says.

Walterbach tells us Crain has been barred from the premises. He also tells us they have an open door policy which means anyone can contact them and voice their concerns.

Crain has posted bond and now has to appear in Circuit Court at a later date.

You can follow Will Carr on Twitter @ carrwill.