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Former Chesco priest now facing federal child porn charges

Former Chesco priest now facing federal child porn charges A former Chester County priest awaiting trial on county charges he posed as a teen girl and posted child pornography online is now facing federal charges for the same crimes.

Former Chesco priest now facing federal child porn charges

A former Chester County priest awaiting trial on county charges he posed as a teen girl and posted child pornography online is now facing federal charges for the same crimes.

Mark Haynes, 55, of Egg Harbor, N.J., was arrested by the FBI on Friday and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Haynes was a priest at Sts. Simon and Jude Parish in Westtown Township until Chester County prosecutors charged him in October.

Since then, he had been out on bail. His detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Philadelphia.

Authorities say that while Haynes was living in the church's rectory, he posted photographs of nude young girls on Instagram.

He also is accused of posing as a 16-year-old girl named "Katie" on a teen dating website and exchanging lewd e-mails with a 14-year-old girl.

Haynes had been assigned to eight parishes in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties since he was ordained as a priest in 1985.

The parishes include St. Ann Church in Phoenixville, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Doylestown, St. John of the Cross in Roslyn, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Southampton, and St. Pius X in Broomall.

Tom Hogan, Chester County's District Attorney, said his office will assist federal prosecutors.

- Michaelle Bond