A politically-connected Brooklyn reverend who devoted his life to mentoring younger youngsters is going through disturbing allegations that he repeatedly sexually abused a teenage boy two years in the past, in response to sources.
Rev. Edward-Richard Hinds – chief of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council often called The GodSquad – was indicted Thursday on two counts of third-degree felony sexual act and associated costs after allegedly performing sexual acts on a 16-year-old on a number of events in December 2022, sources mentioned.
Police arrested Hinds, 48, early Thursday morning after executing a search warrant at his house.
The handcuffed cleric appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Courtroom the place he was arraigned on the horrific costs. A particular prosecutor from the Staten Island district legal professional’s workplace is dealing with the case.
The sickening claims got here to mild in August when The GodSquad reported the allegations to the Brooklyn District Legal professional’s workplace and terminated Hinds from his management function following an inner investigation, in response to an Aug. 12 information launch the faith-based group posted to X.
Hinds was additionally kicked off the Citywide Clergy Collective, an anti-gun violence initiative launched by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration earlier this yr.
“The allegations towards Pastor Hinds are heinous and deeply disturbing, which is why he was instantly faraway from the Citywide Clergy Collective and God Squad as quickly as they got here to mild,” a Metropolis Corridor spokesperson mentioned in an announcement, including that Hinds was by no means a metropolis consultant.
“We’ll proceed to work with native clergy and group teams to cease violence earlier than it occurs on our streets.”
The cleric can be going through costs of two counts of sexual misconduct, forcible touching, third-degree sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a kid, sources mentioned.
Hinds, who was labeled a flight threat in court docket, is being held on $5,000 bail and $30,000 bond.
He pleaded not responsible and is due again in court docket on Dec. 13.
A lawyer for Hinds didn’t return a request for remark.
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