Feds indict Pa. priest on child porn charges

PITTSBURGH - Calling it an "important, significant case," U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton has taken over the prosecution of the Rev. Bartley A. Sorensen, a Western Pennsylvania priest indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges of receiving and accessing child pornography.

"We regard these child-exploitation cases as a top priority, and especially when someone is in a position of trust," Hickton said Wednesday after the federal indictment was unsealed. He said the investigation was continuing.

The federal charge "seems a little piling on to me - big-time piling on," said Patrick J. Thomassey, an attorney for Sorensen. "He's on house arrest. His life has been destroyed already. . . . It seems like the federal government should have bigger and better things to do."

Sorensen, 62, of St. John Fisher Church in Churchill, was charged last month in state court. Affidavits said he had thousands of images of young boys, including some of boys posing naked or involved in sex acts.

The investigation began when a church employee contacted the Catholic Child Abuse Hotline. Diocese officials contacted police and placed Sorensen on administrative leave.

The federal indictment did not add much to the state accusations. Prosecutors seek the forfeiture of a computer, a camera, and more than 100 CDs, DVDs, books, and photo albums.

Sorensen's initial court appearance is set for Friday. Hickton said the government would not ask that he be jailed pending trial.

"I don't know what their interest in the case is, to tell you the truth," Thomassey said.

The maximum penalty in federal law for the crimes is 20 years in prison, but sentences are usually driven by guidelines that take into account the defendant's criminal history.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, county police, FBI, and Churchill police conducted the investigation. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Alan N. Bloch.

Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik said the latest development made it a "sad and difficult day."

"There is no way to understand, yet alone excuse or talk around, compulsions involving children," Zubik said. "My prayers are for all that have been victims of this pernicious exploitation."