Biddeford Pastor Facing Charges after Police Find Child Porn on His Computer

By Ryan McLaughlin
Bangor Daily News
September 4, 2012

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/09/04/news/portland/biddeford-pastor-facing-charges-after-police-find-child-porn-on-his-computer/

A York County pastor who works with homeless children is facing child pornography charges, according to police.

James Napier, 60, was picked up by police at his Alfred home by members of the State Police Computer Crimes Unit, according to a news release from Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland.

Napier, the pastor associated with the New Beginnings Christian Mission in Biddeford, was charged with possession of sexually explicit material after a search of his computer turned up more than 100 child porn images, McCausland said in the statement.

The New Beginnings Christian Mission ministers to poor and homeless people in downtown Biddeford.

“We’re praying for him and his wife,” said Armand Tardif, a spokesman for the mission. “We know that it’s not good and we’re just praying for the results.”

Tardif said that Napier has been associated with the mission for five years.

McCausland later added that the tip “could’ve come from a variety of different sources,” but no information was available as to what tipped off law enforcement to Napier.

Justin Kittredge of the state’s Computer Crimes Unit said there is no indication that the children on Napier’s computer were involved in the mission or from Maine.

Napier was booked into the York County Jail and later released on bail. He is prohibited from contacting any children under age 18 and is banned from using the Internet, according to the release.

Authorities received a tip on Napier on Friday, prompting detectives to go to his home and search his computer. Napier is facing a felony charge as the children in the porn images appear to be under the age of 12.