(Jamaica Gleaner) A Jamaica-born ex-pastor has been convicted in the United States of raping two teenage girls, one of whom attended his church.
Prosecutors in New York announced yesterday that 41-year-old Michael Clare, the former pastor of Harvest Worship Centre International, pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old congregant in 2007 and a 14-year-old in 2009.
Clare will be formally sentenced on January 30, but under the terms of his plea deal he will serve up to five years in prison and must also register as a sex offender.
It’s reported that he also faces deportation.
Prosecutors have charged that Clare sexually abused the 14 year old on at least three occasions between 2009 and 2011, including one assault they say took place at the school where he worked as principal.
