A Manhattan pastor was arrested over the weekend, accused of groping a teen parishioner, according to prosecutors.
The Rev. Jeffrey Brown, wearing a white suit with matching shoes, faced a judge Monday in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child, forcible touching and sex abuse.
Brown, 57, allegedly grabbed the 14-year-old girl’s buttocks Saturday while she was helping him inside the Harlem church’s copy room, officials said. He was arrested the next day at the Tabernacle of Deliverance for All People on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 153rd Street.
Two different congregations hold services there, and the young girl is a member of the parish headed by another pastor, according to prosecutors.
When the girl’s mom confronted him, Brown allegedly replied, “I told her, I don’t recall touching her but if I touched her, I apologize,” according to police.
Defense lawyer Alyssa Gamliel, of the Legal Aid Society, asked the judge to issue a limited order of protection so Brown can continue leading his congregation.
“This complainant has made allegations like this against other members of my client’s congregation and his own congregation,” she told Judge Anne Swern. “My client is someone who has an excellent reputation and is a pillar in his community.”
The judge wasn’t swayed and issued a full order of protection barring Brown from entering the house of worship.
He was released without bail and declined to comment. He’s due back in court Feb. 21.



