NEW JERSEY
The Record
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
A Catholic priest in Little Ferry was arrested Friday after allegedly aiming a functioning Civil War style musket at an 8-year-old boy.
The Rev. Kevin Carter, 54, pastor of St. Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.
The incident allegedly occurred when the boy and several family members arrived for Mass on Sept. 13.
Carter asked to see the boy in one of the rectory’s rooms and had him stand against a wall, Molinelli said in a press release. The priest then got out a long gun and pointed it at the child with an indication he would shoot, Molinelli said.
Several witnesses standing outside the room saw the incident take place, according to the release.
During a search of Carter’s room at the rectory on Friday, the musket was found, along with gunpowder, ammunition and other items related to the gun, Molinelli said. Carter was arrested, and was being held at the Little Ferry police station Friday evening. Bail has been set at $15,000 with the stipulation that Carter have no contact with the child and that he surrender all firearms.
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