More Trouble For Kanakuk Kamp - This Time In Florida:

Edward L. Ringheim (mug shot OCSO - FL)

A Windermere, Florida man who worked as a volunteer for K-Life in Orlando has been charged with  allegedly molesting at least two young boys at his home there.

Edward L. Ringheim, 39, is facing seven felony charges of lewd and lascivious molestation in Orange County, and was fired from Universal Orlando after his arrest last week. Ringheim treated young men to free trips to Universal Studios by using his employee pass, one of the victims told authorities

Parents also let Ringheim accompany their children to Kanakuk's Branson, Missouri facility according to published reports.  Investigators say he brought about 30 kids to Kanakuk for summer camp over a four year period.  

Orange County Judge Deb Blechman ordered that Ringheim not have any contact with Christian youth group Orlando K-Life and set his bond at $10,000.  He is also prohibited from texting and contact with any of the victims - he has also been banned from using the Internet, including social media sites like Facebook.

Sources close to the investigation in Florida say the are interviewing additional people who may have been victims of Ringheim's.

A spokesperson for K-Life President Kyle Unruh, Christie Stewart, says, "K-Life Orlando is part of our organization.  They're an affiliated chapter - but we have no comment at this time about the allegations in Florida." 

 

Ringheim was released on bond and outfitted with a GPS monitoring device.
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In an unrelated matter involving a civil lawsuit filed in Missouri against Kanakuk Kamp and Pete Newman by one of former camp director Newman's sexual molestation victims, lawyers for the camp have asked for a change of venue from Taney County.

Newman pleaded guilty last year to multiple sex charges involving underage campers.  He is serving two life sentences, plus 30 years for those crimes.
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Keith Alan Cary of the Kansas City law firm of Franke, Schultz & Mullen has entered his appearance as lead attorney for Kanakuk Kamp.  Mike Merrell and G. Rick DiGiorgio are representing the victim in Missouri.  Lawyers are due in court on April 7th in Forsyth for motion hearings involving the civil case in Missouri.

Another victim of Newman's has hired The Turley Law Firm in Dallas who has filed a federal lawsuit against Joe White, the camp, their subsidiaries and Newman.