Newark Pastor From Linden Sexually Assaulted Teen: Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — A pastor at a Newark church who lives in Linden has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, authorities announced Wednesday.

Clifford Brower, 57, has been charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Brower, a pastor at Blessed Assurance Church in Newark, allegedly “committed various acts of sexual assault” on a 14-year-old girl on Aug. 5, 2019, authorities said.

Brower is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will be moving for detention, authorities said.

A hearing date hasn’t been scheduled, prosecutors said.

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

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