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  St. Louis Area Priest Pleads Guilty to Child Porn

St. Louis Globe-Democrat
March 31, 2010

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/mar/31/st-louis-area-priest-pleads-guilty-child-porn/

James Patrick Grady pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography Wednesday according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors gave the following account of the investigation:

* According to court documents, James Patrick Grady was employed as the pastor at St. Rafael’s Parish in St. Louis. Grady was provided with a computer by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, but requested that parish members obtain a laptop computer for his personal usage. The parish purchased him a Toshiba laptop computer.

* On July 29, 2009, law enforcement officers and agents were involved in an undercover operation investigating subjects who attempt to purchase children, or their services, for commercial sex in the Eastern District of Missouri. The same day, officers received an e-mail in response to an Internet advertisement that had been placed by law enforcement working in the undercover capacity. The advertisement indicated that young females of an indeterminate age were available. The e-mail was from James Patrick Grady, seeking more information regarding the ad, and was informed that there were two females. In the course of the e-mails, Grady received a digitally morphed photograph of a 16-year old female. Grady inquired about the cost of the child depicted and was given a price for a half hour and for one hour. Grady indicated that he wanted a half hour and was told that the girl was 16 years old. He indicated that was fine and set up a meeting. Upon arriving at the agreed upon location, Grady met an undercover officer, and asked to see the girls. Grady was subsequently arrested by the FBI, St. Louis County Police and the Maryland Heights Police. After his arrest, Grady admitted that he intended to have sex with the girl.

* Grady was asked if he had any child pornography on his computer, and he stated that while he never downloaded child pornography, he had looked at it on his computer. The computer was searched by forensic examiners and they found more than 100 images which depicted nude prepubescent females in the seven to seventeen year old age range engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Grady, 58, St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of child pornography this morning before U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

Additionally, Grady is charged with a forfeiture count, which will require the forfeiture of property that was used to facilitate the criminal activity. As part of his plea, Grady agrees to forfeit his Toyota Camry.

Grady faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for June 25

 
 

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