Key Takeaways
- James Yerdon, a Norse Pagan church leader, faces charges in a child sexual abuse case involving two victims.
- He also faces a federal case involving possession of child pornography.
- Authorities believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with concerns to contact the police.
- Any institutions that may have enabled the abuse may be held civilly liable.
James Yerdon, a Norse Pagan church leader, has been charged in a child sexual abuse case involving two victims in Albany County, New York.
Prosecutors allege the abuse occurred over a span of more than two years, involving multiple locations across New York.
Yerdon is also facing a charge of possession of child pornography in a federal case and remains in custody.
Indictment Against James Yerdon
On February 2, 2026, Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon and New York State Police Troop G announced that James Yerdon, 55, was “formally charged for preying on children for his own sexual gratification.”
His indictment consisted of four charges:
- One count of predatory sexual assault against a child
- One count of second-degree sexual abuse
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child
Yerdom has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
According to the New York State Police, “The indictment alleges that Yerdon raped a male victim less than 11 years old on several dates between March 2023 and May 2025 at multiple locations in Albany County and other areas of the state. The indictment also alleges that Yerdon sexually abused a male victim who is less than 14 years old in the town of Colonie in late January 2025.”
Yerdon is alleged to have traveled from Central New York and transported victims to multiple locations as part of the alleged abuse.
District Attorney Lee Kidlon told the Times Union that “The nature of the allegation is that he brought children not just to Albany County but, frankly, to counties around the state and sexually abused those children.”
How Yerdon Gained Access to Children
Yerdon uses the alias “Pappi Jim.”
According to DA Kidlon, Yerdon “gained access to children through his role as a ‘church leader.’”
“State Police Investigator Kyle Haller described Yerdon as a community leader in the Watertown area who has ‘connections throughout the state.’” (Times Union)
Officials have said that Yerdon was connected to a Norse Pagan religious organization located in the Watertown area, though the group has not been named publicly.
On Monday, the court issued orders of protection for the victims, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect minors during the criminal proceedings.
Authorities Believe There May Be Additional Victims
Authorities believe that additional victims may exist and are encouraging anyone who had contact with Yerdon to call authorities.
According to CBS 6 Albany, Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon has urged parents “involved with Yerdon’s Norse Pagan religious retreat to speak with their children and contact authorities” if they have concerns. He also noted that authorities fear that this was not an isolated incident in just Albany County.
Please contact your local NYSP barracks or Troop G at (518) 783-3284 if you or your child were harmed by James Yerdon.
Federal Child Pornography Case
In addition to the Albany County prosecution, Yerdon is facing separate federal charges in the Northern District of New York for possession of child pornography.
Court records show that the federal investigation began after a 13-year-old male victim disclosed abuse to New York State Police in May 2025. According to court records, Yerdon allegedly groomed the victim “over a period of a time leading to a sexual assault that took place at a hotel in Albany, NY.”
In an interview, the victim informed authorities that Yerdon had previously shown him child sexual abuse material, which prompted a search warrant for Yerdon’s residence and electronic devices. Multiple devices were found and seized by state police.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York, “Yerdon was found in possession of a cellphone on which Yerdon possessed multiple images and videos of child pornography including material depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as five months old.”
“‘James Yerdon is accused of preying upon defenseless victims–babies and children–for his own despicable sexual gratification,’” said Special Agent Erin Keegan.
Yerdon pleaded not guilty to the federal charge in May of 2025. He remains in custody at the Cayuga Correctional Facility in New York, where he is being held while both the state and federal cases move forward. His next court date is scheduled for March 13, 2026.
When Abuse Occurs Through Positions of Trust
Abuse rarely occurs in isolation. It is often enabled by institutions that place trust and authority in the hands of adults without sufficient protections for children.
Survivors of child sexual abuse may have difficulty recognizing what happened to them as abuse, particularly when it occurs in environments associated with trust, mentorship, or spiritual guidance. Survivors may fear they will not be believed or may not feel ready to report what happened for many years.
Criminal cases are designed to address individual wrongdoing and public safety. They do not always examine whether institutional safeguards were in place or whether systems failed to prevent harm. Those broader questions are often explored separately through civil cases.
Support and Legal Options for Survivors
If you or someone you love was harmed by James Yerdon or another religious leader, you are not alone. Help is available.
Andreozzi + Foote is a nationally recognized civil law firm dedicated to representing survivors of sexual abuse, assault, and exploitation.
Our attorneys focus on holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect children or other individuals in their care. Our team has extensive experience handling cases involving abuse in religious settings and other contexts where authority and trust play a central role.
Speaking with our firm does not obligate you to take legal action.
We offer free, confidential case evaluations so survivors can learn about their rights, understand potential legal options, and decide what feels right for them.
Contact us today.
Image sources: James Yerdon, courtesy of New York State Police. Yerdon at his court appearance on February 2, 2026, courtesy of CBS 6 Albany.
