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Orleans County pastor arrested on sexual abuse charges

New York State Police

State Police have arrested a Middleport pastor and charged him with a series of felony sexual charges, including incest. Reverend Roy Harriger Sr., a pastor at Community Fellowship Church in the Town of Hartland, faces charges including two counts of Course of Sexual Conduct (B Felony), two counts of Incest (E Felony), and four counts of Sodomy 1st (B Felony).

The crimes allegedly occurred while Harriger worked out of Lyndonville Wesleyan Church in the Orleans County Town of Yates. The charges involve a young boy and a young girl.

Two of the alleged victims who came forward two months ago are now adults. The alleged crimes occurred between September 2000 and September 2001. Several other potential victims have come forward since.

Police believe the pastor, who is now 70 years old, sexually abused children dating back to 1974, including time spent in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Harriger is under investigation in those states, as well. 

State Police are asking anyone with information or anyone who believes they may have been the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Harriger to contact the Albion station at (585) 589-4244.

"Often in these cases, other victims will hear the story and see that we've arrested a subject and they'll be, at that point, willing to come forward," said State Police Lieutenant Kurt Schmitt at a Wednesday afternoon news conference in the Town of Lockport.

Harriger was arraigned and remanded to the Orleans County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. He will be back in court on December 3.