NEW YORK
WIVB
[with video]
HARTLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) – A pastor from Orleans County accused of sexually abusing children will go to trial in January.
Rev. Roy Harriger is charged with three counts of coercive criminal sexual conduct against a child, one count of first degree incest, two counts of incest and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. A judge set a trial date of January 20 when Harriger was in court Monday for pre-trial motions.
At least 15 people in three states have signed affidavits claiming 70-year-old Harriger molested them as children. But many of those cases are past the statute of limitations.
However, a grand jury has found enough evidence to indict Harriger on charges relating to three children. News 4 has learned that Harriger is accused of molesting a boy and a girl about 12 years ago when he was pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Lyndonville.
The case first came to light last Thanksgiving, when Harriger was arrested by State Police. His own son, George Harriger, told News 4 he was molested as a boy but never realized there were others.
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