Grimsby pastor charged

A 31-year old former youth pastor at Lakemount Worship Centre in Grimsby is behind bars. He’s charged with sexual assault and extortion.

Andrew Riach was arrested by Niagara police at this home in Windsor and brought back to St. Catharines where he made a brief court appearance Wednesday. An investigation was launched in May after a young person went to police with the allegations. Riach had been a youth pastor at Lakemount since October 2006 but was fired this past May. People who know him say he was a good man.

“He was a family man. He has a beautiful daughter, a beautiful wife. It’s hard to hear.”

Wednesday afternoon, the Pastor at Lakemount Worship Centre issued this statement saying: “The arrest and charges against this former employee are being treated with the utmost seriousness and concern. And its urging anyone with information related to these charges to go to police.” Niagara police believe there could be more victims out there.