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	Local Pastor Charged with Child Molestation (video) By Jennifer Carboni Daily Local News September 7, 2011 http://dailylocal.com/articles/2011/09/07/news/doc4e67bd88deac0955722983.txt A longtime pastor is in Chester County Prison after failing to post $250,000 bail for child molestation charges stemming from multiple incidents that allegedly occurred in the 1990s. Homer Richard Clifford Sr., 64, of Coatesville, is accused of molesting a girl between 1995 and 1999. The alleged incidents occurred when the girl was between 5 and 8 years old, according to court records. The alleged victim is now 21 years old. She reported the alleged crimes to Coatesville police in July. Clifford surrendered to Coatesville police Wednesday with his attorney, Daniel Armstrong of Media. He was then arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gregory Hines. During the proceeding, Armstrong described Clifford as a lifelong pastor. Police said Clifford is the pastor at Crossroads of Faith Baptist Church in the 2900 block of Strasburg Road. According to court records, the victim says that Clifford molested her on multiple occasions, including four times in Clifford’s home and twice in his attic. The alleged abuse also occurred when Clifford babysat the alleged victim and her 2-year-old sister at their home. Coatesville Detective Gerald Pawling filed the charges Tuesday. Charges include three counts of deviate sexual intercourse, four counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape involving a child under age 13, four counts of corruption of minors as well as one count of endangering the welfare of a child and terroristic threats. Clifford told the judge he is married and the father of seven living children and one who is deceased. Several loved ones were in the courtroom in support of Clifford, including at least four of his children. When the judge said he was going to follow the bail agency’s $250,000 recommendation, Armstrong challenged the decision. Armstrong said the alleged crimes occurred more than a decade ago, his client is not a flight risk and his voluntary surrender to police should warrant a lower bail. Specifically, Armstrong requested the bail be set at 10 percent of $10,000. The judge denied Armstrong’s request. “This is absolutely unreasonable,” Armstrong said. “It is certainly way out of line at $250,000.” Armstrong asked the judge to reconsider bail “so at least he has some chance to post.” The judge said bail can be addressed at the preliminary hearing, which is tentatively slated for Sept. 14 before Hines. After the hearing, family members hugged Clifford and each other. Clifford cried before constables escorted him out of the courtroom. Contact: jcarboni@dailylocal.com
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