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Pastor, school principal charged with child sex assaults

Police say the incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1981 and 1986 at a church and a school
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NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

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GUELPH-ERAMOSA TOWNSHIP – The Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit have charged two men after a lengthy investigation into serious incidents that occurred at a Guelph-Eramosa Township address.

The investigation commenced in early December, 2016. 

Through the course of the investigation, it has been determined that between 1981 and 1986, alleged sexually related offences against minors took place at the Elora Road Christian Fellowship Church and the Elora Road Christian School which is located on the same  property in the same facility.

As a result of the investigation police have charged the following:

80-year-old Henry (Henk) Katerberg of Guelph-Eramosa Township with sexual assault - on a child under 16 contrary to the Criminal Code. He is scheduled to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on Feb. 14, 2017 to answer to the charge.

Katerberg was the founder and pastor of the church at the time the offences were alleged to have taken place.

66-year-old Arend “John” DeKorte of Fergus has been charged with sexual assault - on a child under the age of 16 X 2 contrary to the Criminal Code. He is to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on Jan. 31, 2017 to answer to the charges.

DeKorte is currently the principal of the school, however, was a teacher at the time that the offences were alleged to have taken place.

Any person with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Wellington County OPP Crime Unit at 519-846-5930.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

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