Former priest sentenced to 37 months on baby porn costs

EASTON, Pa. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest accused of gathering 1000’s of kid pornography photos whereas serving abroad after which bringing them with him when he returned to america has been sentenced to greater than three years in federal jail.

The Rev. William McCandless, 57, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced Monday in federal courtroom in Easton to 37 months in jail on a conviction of getting used his cellphone to attempt to entry pornography that includes underage boys.

Assistant U.S. Lawyer Sherri Stephan stated laptop evaluation indicated that the previous DeSales College priest visited 3,000 pages that includes such pornography. Prosecutors stated he amassed his assortment whereas serving for a number of years in Monaco, and alleged it included gadgets that may be described “because the torture of very younger youngsters.”

“He had no empathy for a single baby in any of these photos,” she stated. “The response McCandless felt was to search for extra.”

McCandless was a counselor within the Wellness Middle at DeSales College in Higher Saucon Township from February to October 2017 however was fired after the varsity discovered of the investigation. He initially was charged with possessing baby pornography for importation into the U.S. and transporting it in interstate and international commerce in addition to trying to entry it. He pleaded responsible final yr to tried entry, and the opposite costs had been dropped.

U.S. District Choose Edward G. Smith instructed McCandless that he served honorably within the Navy and introduced compassion to his numerous ministries as a Catholic priest. However, he stated, all of the whereas evil resided inside him and “you can not comprise that evil.”

Protection lawyer Michael Diamondstein stated his shopper acknowledged the grave nature of the crime however was not the “satan in a priest’s collar” portrayed by the prosecution.

“Very, only a few individuals are all good or all unhealthy … and Father McCandless, for those who pull this blip out of his life, has lived a rare life. Higher than I’ve,” he stated.

McCandless apologized to his household, pals, non secular order and “to anybody who ever positioned religion in me.”

“Phrases can’t categorical the depths of my regret,” he stated. He additionally vowed to pay again his order, the Wilmington-based Oblates de St. Francis De Gross sales, for the cash it spent protecting his authorized protection.

After his launch, McCandless — who Diamondstein stated might be barred from serving in ministry — will reside underneath the supervision of his order. He may even be barred from contact with anybody underneath 18 and might be positioned on a intercourse offender registry.