Connecticut Pastor accused of child pornography released on bond
On Tuesday, a Connecticut pastor accused of possession of child pornography was released on $100,000 bond.
According to The Day, Revered Dennis Carey is a former pastor of the St. Paul in Chains Church in Waterford. Carey is accused of having approximately 338 files of suspected child pornography. Of those files 275 are picture files and 63 are video files, all containing images of boys and girls under the age of 16 and all engaging of sexual acts, according to state police.
NBCConnecticut.com reports that the conditions of Carey’s release are as follows: He is to have no internet access, he cannot possess any pornography, and he cannot have contact with anyone under the age of 13.
Carey’s attorney said that he has an addiction and will be getting help for it. He said Carey plans on meeting with a psychiatrist Tuesday.
Carey is due back in court on July 9. The charges pending against him are a Class B felony and have a mandatory five-year sentence.
The diocese released a statement on Tuesday to address the charges brought against Carey.
“We, along with everyone else, will wait to see how the legal process unfolds and to learn the details of the investigation. These allegations are extremely serious and run contrary to everything we believe as a Church. To exploit children in that fashion is absolutely reprehensible. We pray the allegations are not true,” the statement reads.
“This is a sad moment for all of us. We always hope we will never again hear about any investigations or allegations of misconduct by priests. For the parish community, for the priests of the diocese, and for me personally, it is extremely difficult,” Bishop Cote said in the statement. “We are all saddened and deeply hurt.”
