Minister From West Harrison Faces 2nd Rape Charge

Accused rapist and West Harrison resident Michael Clare was indicted again this week, the second time the Bronx pastor has been accused of raping a teenage girl, according to multiple media outlets.

Clare, 40, has worked as a pastor at Harvest Worship Center International and principal of the Harvest Preparatory in the Bronx. It is believed both victims attended the school.

He was first , after investigators discovered a three and a half year sexual relationship with a teenager in his congregation that lasted from April 1, 2006 to Jan. 2, 2010, according the Bronx District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors say Clare's relationship with the second girl, who is now 17, began around June 22, 2009 and lasted until June 30, 2011, according to a report from The Daily News. This would mean the two-year sexual relationship with the second teen continued while Clare was out on bail for the original rape charge.

The second victim reported the relationship to authorities earlier this month, The Daily News reported. According to the same report, prosecutors believe Clare had sexual encounters with the girl at least three times, including at least one incident in his home in West Harrison.

New charges include rape, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse, The Daily News reported.

It is believed that Clare impregnated the first victim and that the relationship began when she was 12 years old. The girl became pregnant when she was 15 and in March 2011, prosecutors said at the time.

Clare, who lives on Gainsborg Avenue in West Harrison, had been free on bail from the first charge, but is now being held on $700,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond, reports The Journal News. Clare has also been ordered to stay away from any children younger than 16 besides his own.

Paul Brenner, an attorney representing Clare, told The Daily News that his client is falsely accused and that the two teen girls are working together to tarnish his client's reputation.

"I believe it’s a made-up, trumped-up witch hunt,” Brenner told the newspaper. "When all the facts are known the reverend will be exonerated.

If convicted of both rape charges Clare could face up to 32 years in state prison.