Clinton Bucknor, pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Huntington, is accused of sexual abuse

A 71-year-old pastor at the Huntington Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Huntington Station was arrested on charges of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, according to Suffolk County police.

The Rev. Clinton Bucknor is accused of having “sexual contact” with her in the basement of the church on West 9th Street in March and sending her “an inappropriate photo and text message,” the agency wrote in a news release.

Details of the content of the contact – including the evidence – and the content of the message were not disclosed. The police press office did not respond to questions.

The case came to light when the 15-year-old’s sister called 911 on Wednesday to report sexual abuse by the priest. Police began investigating, which led to Bucknor being charged with criminal solicitation and child endangerment. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Bucknor, a Huntington resident who was in police custody, could not be reached for comment. Neither the teenager’s name nor her sister’s name has been released. The church could not be reached for comment.

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.