
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.
READ MORE: Chicago Weather: Warm Stretch Begins With Temperatures In The 50sVilchez-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.
READ MORE: Two Teens Charged In Clearing CarjackingPolice 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.
MORE NEWS: Chicago Weather: Weekend Warmup Continues“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.