Sunshine Coast detectives have charged a 61-year-old local man with 21 counts of rape following ongoing investigations into offences allegedly committed over a ten-year period.
It will be alleged the man utilised his position of religious standing within the Jehovah Witness community to sexually assault young men between 2008 and 2018.
On Sunday 28 August police executed a search warrant at a Mooloolaba address and took a 61-year-old man into custody.
He has since been charged with 21 counts of rape, 17 counts of sexual assault, 13 counts of procure sexual acts by false pretence and one count each of incest, torture and common assault.
The man was due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday 29 August.
The alleged offences relate to four male victims aged in their late teens to early twenties, and detectives are appealing for anyone else who may have information relating to the man that may assist with investigations to come forward.
