Niagara This Week
December 8, 2011
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/crime/article/1260075--priest-charged-for-child-porn-possession
 |
| Priest charged for child porn possession. |
A Roman Catholic priest and former high school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography after police executed a search warrant at a Welland residence on Thursday.
The arrest follows an investigation by the Niagara Regional Police service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Child Abuse Unit, Technological Crimes Unit and uniform officers.
During the search of the undisclosed address, police say they seized a number of computer systems and peripheral devices allegedly containing evidence.
Rheal LeBlanc, 76, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
A police media release issued Thursday afternoon disclosed no further details about the accused.
However, Bullet News has been able to confirm through sources the accused is a Roman Catholic priest and educator, who served as the first principal of Saint Paul Catholic High School in Niagara Falls, when the school opened in 1982.
He was principal at the high school from the time it opened until he retired in 1994.
At Saint Paul’s 25th anniversary celebration, LeBlanc was inducted into the school’s hall of fame. The gymnasium is also named LeBlanc Hall.
Prior to coming to Saint Paul, he was principal at Welland’s Notre Dame High School.
LeBlanc was held in police custody pending a bail hearing this afternoon in St. Catharines.
Monsigneur Wayne Kirkpatrick, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines, said the diocese has been made aware of the arrest and will follow all of its protocols for dealing with such circumstances.
“We are shocked and saddened at this news,” said Kirkpatrick, saying not much more can be said at this time because it is a matter that is now before the courts.
“The Diocese will cooperate with any (police) investigation,” he said.
Police say their investigation is ongoing.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.