Following the death of a senior member in a nameless religious group, a successor would expose the leader’s sexual abuse actions that had secretly gone on for decades. 

Dean Bruer, known as an “Overseer” had maintained his utmost senior position in a religious sect that is often referred to as “The Truth” or “2x2s” for nearly 50 years. Bruer died in a Best Western Motel on June 21, 2022, in Government Camp, Oregon. Afterward, his successor, Doyle Smith, wrote a letter that leaked online and quickly gained traction. 

“We have come to the tragic conclusion that Dean Bruer had another side to his life that none of us, except victims, ever witnessed or suspected,” the letter, dated March 20, 2023, read.

What inspired this exposure is still unknown, but the ripple effects have led to countless victims speaking out in twenty-two countries. Those who’ve shared their traumatic experiences as members of the church have expanded the list of abusers to over 700 perpetrators thus far. 

The Front Porch News and Chad’s Media team recently sat down with one such victim. Co-founder of support group, Advocates For The Truth, Sheri Autrey. See the video preview at the bottom of this page.

Her story begins in Tulare County, California. As a child and only daughter of established church members, Autrey was one of the vulnerable targets of these criminal acts from a very young age. Church members known as “workers” were likened to demigods in the church. As Autrey explains, these workers traveled with companions, hence the informal title “2x2s”. Workers were assigned to a territory where they would stay in the homes of common church members who considered their visit a high honor. 

Steve Rohs, known by church members as a charming, popular, and respected worker was allowed to stay in her family’s home when she was 14 and her family couldn’t be more thrilled. However, Rohs’s two-month stay involved daily sexual abuse of Autrey and was kept a secret between them along with the promise that one day, they would marry. 

Despite allegations that were later brought to the leadership of The Truth, Rohs remained in the church and was eventually promoted to Elder six years after his admitted and known abuse of Autrey.

Reports of sexual abuse were not an uncommon complaint in The Truth.

Leaders of this group took advantage of their authority and successfully avoided the repercussions of criminal acts for twelve decades.

However, their reign of silent cruelty now has a worldwide spotlight where more unsettling details are being uncovered.

In a rare FBI move confirming an active investigation, the field office in Omaha, Nebraska announced that it is looking for help from the public in identifying people with “knowledge of abuse and/or criminal behavior” in an insular, nameless religious sect, often referred to by outsiders as the “The Truth”.

The agency even created an online questionnaire for people with knowledge or direct experience of the abuse. 

As far as Autrey’s story goes, she was offered a face-to-face apology from Rohs.

“I responded that he was not sorry for what he had done or he would have apologized long before,” Autrey recalls. 

Sheri Autrey stepped down from AFTT in December of 2023 but continues her 38-year pursuit of exposing abuse within the organization and encourages the many victims whose stories are yet to be told. The FBI investigation gives thousands of survivors hope for justice and safety to society.

Support groups working to bring justice to survivors include Advocates For The Truth, Telling The Truth, and WINGS For Truth, among others.

Here is the link for the FBI questionnaire and FBI hotline

Hotline Number: 402-493-8688

Autrey has joined the efforts of many in assuring that victims’ stories are no longer hushed.

Our hope is that these amplified voices from around the world will continue to empower survivors of sexual abuse in all capacities. 

Article by Christian Dicus