CINCINNATI (OH)
WXIX - Fox19 [Cincinnati OH]
February 9, 2024
By Fox 19 Digital Staff
A now-ex-seminarian with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is facing child porn charges.
Broderick Witt, 28, was arrested Friday on eight felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Witt’s residential address is Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, which is where he was arrested, the sheriff’s office explained.
The charges against him stemmed from an investigation that started in September 2023, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
The investigation was initiated when the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force relayed information to members of the Regional Electronics & Computer Investigations section, the sheriff’s office said.
Hamilton County court records depict the graphic nature of eight videos, all of which involved minor females. Due to the contents referenced in the court documents, FOX19 NOW will not be releasing the details.
As they investigated Witt, the sheriff’s office said they found out he was a seminarian with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The Archdiocese released the following statement:
I am writing to let you know that this morning officers of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department were on the grounds to interview Mr. Broderick Witt and to execute a search warrant on his living quarters. Mr. Witt has been taken into custody by the sheriff. The officers informed me that Mr. Witt would be charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.
Mr. Witt is no longer a student of this institution, nor a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The seminary and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have strict policies against and take significant precautions to prevent, anyone from possessing or accessing material of this type, regardless of whether they are a student, faculty, or staff. Discovery of such material will result in immediate termination or dismissal and notification of law enforcement.
We have cooperated and will continue to cooperate, fully with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office. We are committed to doing all we possibly can to remove the scourge of child exploitation and abuse from our Church and society.Rev. Anthony R. Brausch, Rector.
The investigation is ongoing. Call 513-946-8338 if you have any information.