Fr. James W. Jackson

Order: FSSP
Ordained: 1985
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Providence RI

Arrested 10/30/2021 after R.I. State Police discovered that an internet connection from St. Mary’s rectory was connected to child pornography sharing. Police discovered a large amount of child sexual abuse material they determined belonged to Jackson, including images and videos of prepubescent girls, infants and toddlers engaging in sex acts. Jackson had been the parish pastor since 8/2021. He was previously pastor of parish in Littleton CO. He pleaded not guilty 12/21/2021 to federal charges related to distributing, possessing and accessing child pornography. Jackson was allowed to go live with a relative in Kansas, with electronic monitoring, while awaiting adjudication of the charges. Arrested in 6/2022 in Leawood KS for child porn possession due to activity on his computer detected 5/2022-6/2022. In 10/2022 he was in custody of the U.S. Marshals at a detention facility in R.I. In a 10/3/2022 hearing Jackson admitted the government could prove he accessed child pornography while on pretrial release. Pleaded guilty in 6/2023 to receiving child pornography, in exchange for the dismissal of the possession charge. Sentenced in 12/2023 to six years in prison, five years of federal supervised release, and funds to victims of child pornography and trafficking. Included on the Scranton diocese’s list of credibly accused.


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