HERNANDO (MS)
WREG [Memphis, TN]
August 7, 2026
By Vivian Nguyen
A former priest-in-training will serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child porn, according to the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office.
Johnathan Tu Nguyen-Vuong, 25, was convicted of child exploitation involving the possession, uploading, and downloading of child sexual abuse material.
He was sentenced to 25 years, with 10 years suspended, in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, prosecutors said.Former priest-in-training pleads guilty to child sex crime
Nguyen-Vuong will have 15 years of post-release supervision and will have to register as a sex offender.
In July 2025, deputies participated in an ongoing investigation that involved the transmission of child sexual abuse material over the internet.
During the investigation, they found a device located at St. Michael’s Community House in Nesbit, Miss., that had child sexual abuse material.
Priest-in-training accused of possessing child porn
After obtaining a search warrant, Nguyen-Vuong was identified as the suspect responsible, authorities said.
His computer was found to be uploading and downloading child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said.
Nguyen-Vuong worked at a summer camp involving children, the D.A.’s office said. He also admitted to teaching religion to children and serving as a seminarian.
He was taken into custody, where he later confessed to uploading and downloading child sexual abuse material.
Investigators have contacted parents of children who had been around Nguyen-Vuong to ensure their safety and determine if there were additional victims.
Authorities said that the religious community associated with St. Michael’s Community House was cooperative throughout the investigation.