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  Former Pastor Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case

State-Times/Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
December 16, 2000

FRANKLIN - A former associate pastor pleaded guilty to possessing dozens of pornographic pictures of children and was ordered by a judge to undergo therapy.

Patrick Kujawa, a former Holy Cross Catholic Church associate pastor, pleaded guilty Wednesday. State District Judge Anne Simon set a sentencing date for April 30. Kujawa, who lives in New Orleans, is free on bond while he awaits sentencing.

He was accused of 15 counts of possessing child pornography. Each possession count carries a penalty of up to 10 years of hard labor and a maximum $10,000 fine.

Viccellio said no complaints against Kujawa have been filed by parents or minors.

Kujawa was accused of downloading 62 pornographic pictures of children from the Internet, Morgan City Police Chief Steele Viccellio said.

The FBI and Morgan City Police began an investigation of Kujawa when a housekeeper found photos in the Holy Cross rectory.

Kujawa was arrested in January at a Pennsylvania hospital, where diocesan officials sent him for psychological evaluation after relieving him of his duties.

Kujawa began his career in 1995 as a priest at St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

 
 

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