By Global News

Cloverdale pastor and wife are facing multiple sexual assault charges

Oct 4, 2017 | 7:45 AM

SURREY — A Cloverdale pastor and his wife are facing numerous charges involving sexual assault, sexual touching and threats over a two year period.

Surrey RCMP said on May 17 it received several allegations against the Cloverdale Christian Fellowship Church pastor and his wife. Investigators arrested the couple the next day.

Both suspects were not known to police and were later released with strict conditions. The victims were allegedly parishioners of the church, according to police.

Surrey resident Samuel Emerson, 34, has been charged with 13 counts of sexual assault, 11 counts of being in a position of authority and touching a person for a sexual purpose and one count of sexual touching of person under the age of 16.

Emerson’s 37-year-old wife Madelaine has been charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of being in a position of authority and touching a person for a sexual purpose and one count of threats to cause death or bodily harm.

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Cloverdale Christian Fellowship Church pastor Randy Emerson, who is the father of Samuel, told Global News that he was unaware of the allegations until his son was arrested at the church in May. Randy said he was shocked by the arrests since he believed his son “lived an impeccable life”. Randy also noted that the church has protocols in place to try to prevent any incidents.

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann said there is a publication ban in place to protect the identities of the victims and police will not be releasing many details in order to keep the integrity of the case intact.

The investigation is still ongoing and officers believe there may be other victims that have not come forward to police.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP.