Police: Minister accused of having sexual encounters with an underage girl in Nassau County
Nassau County police is asking any other potential victims to come forward.
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A Brooklyn man, who serves as a spiritual leader in New York City, was arrested for allegedly having multiple sexual encounters with an underage girl in Nassau County about a decade ago.
Police said Reginald Chery, 46, was arrested at his Brooklyn home Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to first-degree sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. According to court records, cash bail was set at $150,000.
Chery is accused of engaging in those sexual acts with the minor between Jan. 15, 2014, and Aug. 15, 2016.
According to Nassau County police, Chery serves as a Minister at the South Bronx Community Seventh-day Adventist Church near Crotona Park as well as a Chaplain at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, Queens, about a mile west of the Nassau County border.
“When things like this happen, it's a tragedy," Far Rockaway resident Rob Warren said. "Especially when it comes to the kids."
A spokesperson for Episcopal Health Services told News 12 in a statement: "Our hearts and prayers are with the alleged victim and her family. Reginald Chery, Clinical Pastoral Education Resident in Training, was suspended, pending the investigation of this matter. We take these allegations seriously, but cannot further comment on the legal investigation."
News 12 reached out to the church and the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists early this morning for comment, but hasn't heard back at this time.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have been a victim to contact the Nassau County Police Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 255-TIPS.
