James Jackson Wiki – James Jackson Biography
James Jackson, the pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Providence, was arrested Saturday by an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force after investigators identified child pornography being shared through the church‘s Internet connection. state police said in a statement Sunday. A Catholic priest in Rhode Island was arrested after being found with child pornography at a church where he lives and serves as a pastor, authorities said.
Jackson, who lives in the church, was taken into custody after a court-authorized search warrant was executed at St. Mary’s and its rectory, state police said. Father Jackson was identified as the owner of digital media allegedly involved in the possession and transfer of child pornography and child eroticism,” the agency said in a statement obtained by The Post.
James Jackson Arrested – Charged
A judge ordered Jackson to be held on $ 5,000 bail on charges of possession and transfer of child pornography, as well as possession of child erotica. He was unable to publish that amount and was taken to a prison intake center, state police said. Jackson will appear in court at a later date. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf. If he pays bail, the accused priest cannot have contact with minors and cannot access the Internet, state police said.
Jackson has already been removed as pastor of the church and barred from performing the duties of a priest after Saturday’s raid, the Diocese of Providence said in a statement. We look forward to working with the police and the attorney general to ensure the safety of the children,” diocese officials said.
“The use of child pornography is a serious crime and a grave sin,” said Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin. “The charges against Father Jackson are of great concern to everyone and must be taken very seriously.” Jackson joined the diocese in August from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, a clerical society based in Switzerland. Prior to that appointment, the fraternity had assigned him outside of Rhode Island, the diocese said.
“We, the FSSP, are shocked and saddened by the news of the arrest of Father Jackson and the serious accusations against him,” said the Priestly Fraternity of San Pedro. he said in a statement on his website. “We had no reason to believe [Jackson] he was engaging in inappropriate behavior, much less criminal behavior. ”
Jackson passed a background check and had an “excellent record of priestly service” before joining the Diocese of Providence, the FSSP said. Like all those accused of crimes, [Jackson] You have a natural human right under civil and canon law to the presumption of innocence and we will cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities as they investigate this matter, ”the statement continued.
The Church of Santa Maria is located next to two middle schools and an elementary school, the Boston Globe reported. The church has been entrusted to the care of the Priestly Fraternity of San Pedro since 2018, according to the newspaper. Jackson faces up to 21 years in prison if convicted of all charges, state police said.
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