Pastor Sentenced for Molesting His Grandchildren

WKBW
April 6, 2015

http://www.wkbw.com/news/police-blotter/pastor-sentenced-for-molesting-his-grandchildren

A 70-year-old pastor convicted of molesting his own grandchildren will spend the next 15 years behind bars.

Roy Harriger was convicted in January of two of three counts of coercive criminal sexual conduct against a child. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, but was sentenced Monday to 15 years behind bars - seven-and-a-half years for each count.

He will also have 20 years post release supervision.

Jurors deliberated Harriger’s fate over two days. As the verdict was read, there were gasps, deep breaths, tears and even a cheer inside Orleans County Court. Harriger had no comment as he walked out of the courtroom that day.

Harriger molested two of his grandchildren around 12 years ago when he was pastor of Wesleyan Church in Lyndonville. He originally faced three counts of incest, but those charges were later dropped.

After his arrest last year, at least 15 people in three states have signed affidavits claiming Harriger molested them as children, but many of those cases are past the statute of limitations.

Family members spoke to 7 Eyewitness News after sentencing. We concealed their identities due to the sensitive nature of this case that involves children.

One family member said, "I thought of him as my father. The only dad I knew. And for him to do this to my kids killed me because I couldn't believe that a man who was supposed to be a man of God would do this, to anybody. So I just thank whoever is up there, putting him away for good, where he needs to go. I want my kids to enjoy the rest of their lives knowing that he's in jail."

There were family members on both sides - those who support Harriger and those who are accusing him of abuse. Those that spoke to 7 Eyewitness News said they are relieved he was found guilty and is going to jail.

Since being charged, Harriger, who was working as the pastor of Community Fellowship Church in the Town of Hartland, was not allowed to attend church or do anything else that would allow him to interact with children.

The day after he was sentenced, his bail was revoked and he was taken into custody at the Orleans County Jail, where he remained until sentencing.