FORSYTH COUNTY, GA — The longtime pastor of several churches around the southeast has now been accused and arrested for child molestation, police say.

Benjamin "Gus" Harter, 80, of Cumming, was arrested Friday, Aug. 30 for one charge of felony child molestation, the Washington Post reported.

Authorities would not release any other details, except to say there was "ample probable cause" after an investigation, the Washington Post said.

Most recently, Harter served as pastor of Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church in Sandy Springs since 2014, according to the church's website the AJC reported. Harter is the former pastor of Bethany Primitive Baptist Church, in Suwanee, for nearly three decades starting in November 1971, the paper said. Additionally, Harter and his wife joined religious communities in Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Texas and the Philippines, 11Alive reported. Now, the church said Harter is no longer affiliated with their congregation.



An arrest warrant says Harter is charged with molesting a girl under the age of 16, touching her inappropriately as she lay in his bed on multiple occasions across at least three years, from 2012 to 2015, 11Alive reported.

Harter and his wife adopted 19 children from the Philippines, five biological children and several grandchildren.

