Police: Chester County Priest Shared Child Porn On Instagram
WESTTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- A priest in Chester County is accused of possessing and distributing child pornography through a popular photo-sharing network.
Rev. Mark Haynes, a priest assigned to Saints Simon & Jude Parish, in Westtown Township, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse of children for possessing and disseminating child pornography.
According to authorities, the investigation began when a Chester County detective received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an Instagram account was disseminating relevant photographs, including child pornography.
Investigators said that two photographs of a female under 14 years old were posted to the account. Police said one photograph was of the child posing nude. The other photograph was a close-up of the child's vaginal area.
The e-mail account that was linked to the Instagram was eventually traced to the Saints Simon & Jude Parish rectory building, police said.
Investigators said a detective spoke to the church's pastor, who identified Haynes as the user of the e-mail address.
After a further investigation, authorities alleged that Haynes received and posted a multitude of other images of child pornography and had been exchanging lewd e-mails with a still-to-be-identified fourteen-year-old girl.
Investigators said Haynes had been posing as a 16-year-old girl in the exchanges.
Haynes' electronic devices were seized and were being reviewed. Haynes, 55, was removed from parish property after the alleged crimes were discovered.
Haynes has been charged with felony counts of sexual abuse of children via child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.
His bail was set at $200,000 (10% cash), and he was being held at the Chester County Prison after failing to post bail.
Haynes served as parochial vicar at Ss. Simon & Jude since September 3, 2013. He was ordained in 1985.
He had been assigned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to serve in parishes located in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Since 1985, Haynes has been assigned to eight different parishes, including St. Ann, Phoenixville; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Doylestown; St. John of the Cross, Roslyn; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton; St. Pius X, Broomall; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton; and Annunciation BVM, Havertown.
The following is a portion of a statement released by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia after his arrest:
"These charges are serious and disturbing. The Archdiocese is cooperating fully with law enforcement regarding this matter and remains fervently committed to preventing child abuse as well as protecting the children and young people entrusted to its care. Child pornography is a scourge that must be eradicated. There were no prior indications that Father Haynes was involved in activity of this nature. Additionally, no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have ever been lodged against him. Father Haynes was immediately placed on administrative leave following his arrest and is no longer residing at Saints Simon and Jude Parish in West Chester, where he was assigned. Priests on administrative leave are not permitted to exercise their public ministry, administer any of the Sacraments, or present themselves publicly as priests."
Chester County district attorney Hogan added, "This investigation is ongoing. Given the number of parishes to which the defendant was assigned and his close proximity to children, we are concerned that other victims are out there. Anybody with information should come forward immediately."
Anybody with information should call Chester County detective Joseph Walton at 610-344-4625.
SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), a support group for those abused by priests, is also urging anyone with prior information or suspicions of Haynes to come forward.
David Clohessy, national executive director of SNAP, says anyone with prior information on Haynes should go directly to the police. He says the fact that Haynes was in eight parishes in the suburban counties over the years could be a red flag. Clossy says he could have been moved to quiet angry parents who may have seen something inappropriate.
"When a child molester or child predator or child porn owner is formally charged, many people who have former information or suspicions clam up, and they think, 'Theres no reason now for me to stick my neck out because police and prosecutors will handle this,' and frankly that's just irresponsible," Clohessy tells KYW Newsradio.
(KYW Newsradio's Kim Glovas contributed to this report.)
