CLARE CO., MI (WNEM) – A Clare County pastor has been charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having sex with a minor, according to the Clare County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said it received a report of second-degree criminal sexual conduct on March 5 in the village of Farwell, located in Clare County.

The victim, a juvenile who lives out of state, reported the incident to local authorities, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives conducted an investigation and obtained an arrest warrant for Harold Norman Cole Jr., who is currently pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Farwell, the sheriff’s office said.

Cole was arraigned on Friday, Nov. 1, and charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The offense involves sexual contact with force or coercion, or with a victim who is under the age of 13, and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to the sheriff’s office.

On Monday, Nov. 4, Cole was released on a $20,000, 10 percent bond and is GPS-linked, the sheriff’s office said.

He is due back in court on Nov. 12 for a probable cause conference and again on Nov. 18 for a preliminary hearing.

Subscribe to Newsletter TV5 and get the latest local news and weather direct to your email every day.

Copyright 2024 WNEM. All rights reserved.