News New Jersey pastor accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl – RADIO.COM

NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A 57-year-old New Jersey pastor was charged Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodor Stephens II said.

Clifford Brower, of Linden, who is a minister at Blessed Assurance Church, was accused of sexually assaulting the minor on Aug. 5, 2019.

Details of the alleged abuse were not made public, however, the prosecutor’s office said he allegedly committed “various acts” of assault. The location of the abuse was also not disclosed.

The 57-year-old was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, authorities said. The prosecutor’s office will ask that he be held pending trial.

The church at which Brower is a pastor at did not publicly comment on the allegations.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the Special Victims Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-753-1130.