Former Pastor Sentenced in Orleans County for Sexually Abusing Children

By Breanna Fuss
TWC News
April 6, 2015

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2015/04/6/roy-harriger-sentenced.html

Before heading to prison on a 15-year sentence, a former Orleans County pastor continued Monday to deny sexually abusing any children. A jury found Reverend Roy Harriger guilty in January.

"We've been tortured," said George Harriger, Roy's son.

"It started with me when I was a kid and I'm his sister," Nona Blackchief said.

"And I'm his son," George added. "And he messed with me and then my son."

Investigators said a man who preached to live by the word of God had sexually abused children for more than four-decades, but victims of Harriger said they found justice on Monday.

"I think he should have gotten more, but 15 years and then 10 on parole, I think we are good with that," George Harriger said.

George believes his father will spend the rest of his days behind bars.

"He's 72 years old, he won't make it," George said. "At least I hope."

The Orleans County courtroom where Harriger learned his fate was packed with family and members of the churches he once preached at. In front of them all, Harriger told Judge James Punch he never touched any child.

But, like the jury, Punch wasn't convinced. Before handing down the sentence, Punch told Harriger he's a wolf in shepherd’s clothing, and his actions have created a "ripple of misery" that extends through generations of his family.

Choice words, George said, that ring true.

"He could sell you a ketchup sandwich with white gloves on and say, 'You won't get any on it,' and you'd believe it, he's that good," George said.

For Sgt. Michael Notto of the New York State Police, who dedicated the past year and a half to this investigation, the sentencing was just as emotional.

"This case was devastating," said Notto, the lead investigator on Harriger's case. He said we may never know if there are more than the 15 victims already identified.

"When it's such that he had so many different congregations in different places, we may never know the extent," Notto said.

Harriger's family now wants him to say sorry for the life of terror they say he gave them.

"My kids deserve it, my nieces and nephews, my aunt, everybody deserves an apology," George said.

An order of protection was granted for Harriger's family.

Harriger may face more charges out of Pennsylvania. Other pending charges in Michigan were dropped.