Long Island pastor arrested for sexually abusing teenage girl

A Long Island pastor has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a young girl in a church basement.

Clinton Bucknor, 71, of Huntington Station, is accused of sending inappropriate photos and text messages to a 15-year-old girl in March and molesting the teen in the church basement, Suffolk County police said.

Bucknor works at the Huntington Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was arrested Thursday morning after the girl’s sister notified police Wednesday, authorities said. He is accused of sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of children and criminal solicitation.

Bucknor is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Investigators said they hope news of the arrest will inspire anyone who has more information or who may also be a victim to come forward.