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  Priest Who Once Taught at Notre Dame to Be Sentenced Next Month in Child Porn Case

Pocono Record
October 12, 2010

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101012/NEWS/101019946/-1/NEWSMAP

A priest who once taught at East Stroudsburg's Notre Dame Elementary is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 18 in Pike County after pleading guilty to child pornography possession.

The Rev. Robert Timchak, 44, of Milford, an assistant pastor in Scranton, pled guilty in August to 17 counts of child porn possession and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

After the Diocese of Scranton received an anonymous tip in December 2008 about Timchak's possible inappropriate computer use, police began an investigation that led to the discovery of explicit pictures of underage boys on his personal computer, according to an affidavit.

Police said Timchak downloaded the photos from two Internet porn sites.

Timchak was a student teacher at Notre Dame from September to November 2007. In December 2008, he worked as an occasional substitute teacher at Notre Dame, "occasionally celebrated Mass" and "possibly" attended school functions there, according to a statement released last November by the Diocese of Scranton.

He substituted in other local elementary schools, including public schools, the diocese said. He was also assigned at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lords Valley.

The diocese released the following statement this week: "Father Timchak continues to reside at a treatment facility outside the diocese. Also, he is obliged to adhere to the strict limitations already imposed on him by the diocese.

As with the case of any cleric accused of sexual abuse of a minor, Father Timchak is prohibited from exercising any ministry in the Church. Father Timchak remains on a leave of absence while he awaits the outcome of the legal proceedings in Pike County."

 
 

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