CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — The former pastor of a Long Island church who claimed he was the Archangel Gabriel to lure young victims into sex has died in prison.

John Gargano was convicted in 1991 of sexual abuse and sodomy.

His wife, Lori, said he died Saturday at Mount Vernon Hospital. He was 87.

Gargano served eight years as pastor of the now-defunct Eternal Tabernacle Church in Central Islip.

He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

His wife insisted he was innocent.

Gargano was scheduled for a parole hearing in November.