Originally Posted - December 20, 2006

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GLENS FALLS---The former Warren County probation officer who has been charged with sexually abusing two teenage boys at his Glens Falls home has now been charged with felony first degree sexual abuse involving another alleged victim.

A 9-year-old boy alleges that Overton abused him while he was working as a caseworker in Warren County's Child Protective Services, part of the county Social Services Department.

Glens Falls Police say that Bradford Overton, 30, told the boy that he would place him in foster care if he told anyone about the abuse. He was also charged with second degree coercion and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors. The incidents allegedly occurred at the boy's home during the winter of 2004-05.

After his arrest on misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child earlier this month for allegedly fondling the buttocks to two boys, aged 15 and 16, three more young boys had come forward to claim that Overton, who is also a youth minister with the New Hope Community Church of Glens Falls, had sexually abused them. He had met the boys through the church's youth group.

Overton has resigned from his position as probation officer and the church has suspended him from participating in any activities involving church youth. He had worked exclusively with juveniles in his role as a probation officer which he'd held for about six months.

The 9-year-old boy made his allegation to the State Police after the initial charges were filed against Overton on Dec. 5.

Overton has been arraigned on the new charges before Glens Falls Judge Richard Tarantino and continues free on his own recognizance.

Warren County district attorney Kate Hogan has said that she will ask for a special prosecutor because her office works closely with the county probation department and its officers. 12-20-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette