Catholic Priest From Arlington Heights Church Charged With Child Porn

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (CBS) — An Arlington Heights priest has been pulled from ministry after he was arrested on child pornography charges.

The investigation into the priest, 34-year-old Clovis Javier Vilchez-Parra, was led by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, and its Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Vilchez-Parra, an associate pastor at Mission San Juan Diego Catholic Church, has been charged with one count of reproduction of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. A Cook County judge set his bail at $175,000 during a bond hearing Wednesday at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

The Archdiocese of Chicago said he has been removed from ministry.

Police in Palatine were involved in the case, and executed a search warrant at Vilchez-Parra’s home in the 100 block of South Arlene Avenue. The home is owned by the Archdiocese.

Authorities seized a laptop, and associated media containing child pornography.

The Archdiocese has encouraged anyone who might have been abused by someone in the church to come forward.

“The Archdiocese is grateful for the vigilant law enforcement exercises in the protection of children. The exploitation of any child is a crime and a sin that deserves swift attention by all responsible adults,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.