The 71-year-old Long Island pastor is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in the church basement

Authorities in Suffolk County have filed charges against a 71-year-old Long Island pastor accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in a church basement. According to the New York PostAccording to Suffolk County police, Clinton Bucknor allegedly molested the victim at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Huntington.

Bucknor is alleged to have sexually abused the 15-year-old girl in the church basement in March. Authorities also said the teen received an inappropriate text message and photo from Bucknor. The 71-year-old was ultimately arrested after the victim’s sister contacted police on Wednesday, authorities said.

Bucknor faces a number of charges including criminal solicitation, sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday, May 10.

In 2019, a similar incident occurred in Brooklyn when a pastor at the Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville was arrested for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old relative.

According to PIX11 News, Matthew Gibson, the son of the church’s bishop, was arrested for criminal sexual abuse and forcible touching of a female victim between the ages of 9 and 14. The New York Post reported the abuse, which took place between 2013 and 2017, began immediately after the death of the victim’s mother. The victim told police that Gibson sexually assaulted her in various rooms at the church.