Huntington Station pastor arrested for sexually abusing teenager

Suffolk County police arrested a Huntington pastor on May 9 for allegedly sexually abusing a teenage girl in March. The victim’s sister called 911 on May 8 to report that her 15-year-old sister was being sexually abused by a pastor who works at the Huntington Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 21 West 9th St. in
Huntington Station.

An investigation by Special Victims Section investigators found that Clinton Bucknor sent the minor an inappropriate photo and text message and had sexual contact with the teenager in the church basement in March 2024.

Bucknor, 71, of Huntington, was arrested and charged with alleged third-degree criminal solicitation, third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He will be held overnight in the Fourth District and is scheduled to be arraigned May 10 in First District Court in Central Islip.

Investigators are asking anyone who has additional information or believes they may be a victim to call the Special Victims Unit at 631-852-6531.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.