MEMPHIS (TN)
Commercial Appeal [Memphis TN]
July 11, 2025
By Jacob Wilt
A priest in training and religious educator is facing multiple child pornography charges, according to DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle.
Louisiana native Jonathan Nguyen-Voung, 24, was taken into custody without incident July 10 at his place of work at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Olive Branch, the sheriff said.
In a press conference July 11, Tuggle announced the arrest of Nguyen-Voung, who was charged with multiple felonies which include possession of child pornography, accessing and distributing child pornography. Tuggle said forensic experts discovered a device actively downloading explicit material when the search warrant on the suspect’s Nesbit residence was executed.
“We take all crime seriously, especially crimes committed against our children,” Tuggle said. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of these predators.”
Nguyen-Voung is being held at DeSoto County’s jail without bond.
The arrest is part of a wider investigation into crimes against children in DeSoto County dubbed Operation Exorcism.
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering DeSoto County, as well as Dining in the Memphis area. You can reach him atjacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.