South Jersey Pastor Sexually Assaulted 4 Children: Prosecutor

A pastor at a Burlington County church has been charged with the sexual assault of four minors that took place over the course of a 16-year period, authorities announced Thursday morning. Harry L. Thomas, 74, of Medford, was arrested Wednesday morning, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Medford Township Police Chief Richard J. Meder announced.

Thomas is a pastor at the Come Alive Church in Medford Township. The church announced that Thomas was indefinitely suspended on Thursday afternoon.

"While the allegations are unrelated to his roles in these ministries, leadership has determined this to be the proper course of action at this time until there can be a full investigation," the church said in a prepared statement. "It is requested that all pray for the parties involved and refrain from speculation regarding the circumstances."

Thomas is being treated at a medical facility, where he is under guard by the Burlington County Department of Corrections, authorities said. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office didn’t provide any information as to why he was being treated.

The assaults all took place in Medford between 1999 and 2015, according to authorities. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office didn’t provide information about the victims due to privacy concerns.

Thomas has been charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault and four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of children.

A first appearance hearing will be held in the near future in Superior Court. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment.

Anyone else who may have been victimized by Thomas, including experiencing inappropriate contact, is asked to call the Prosecutor’s Office Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit at 609-265-5879, or the Medford Township Police Department at 609-654-7511.

Thomas founded the church in 1983, and began by holding services in a township building, according to the Courier Post. He also oversaw a Christian Rock radio broadcast before he began to host Christian concerts and festivals.

The attached image of Come Alive Church Pastor Harry L. Thomas was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday