N.J. pastor accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl – NJ.com

A 57-year-old pastor at a church in Newark was charged with sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II announced Wednesday.

Clifford Brower, of Linden, who is a minister at Blessed Assurance Church, is accused of sexually assaulting the girl Aug. 5, 2019, the prosecutor’s office said. He also faces a charge of endangering the welfare of a child in connection to the alleged assault.

Brower’s voice mailbox was full when reached by NJ Advance Media and the church did not immediately respond to a request for comment via email.

It was not immediately clear where the alleged assault took place, but the investigation was conducted by Essex County authorities, including Newark police.

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.

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.

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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.