Computers, Storage Units Seized during Search of Home Office of NS Bishop, The Canadian Press, October 14, 2009

Computers, Storage Units Seized during Search of Home, Office of N.S. Bishop

The Canadian Press
October 14, 2009

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jw-UvY1xfehSoaHY4anQenVKfUMg

On Sept. 25, Ottawa police charged the 69-year-old Raymond Lahey with possession of child pornography and importation of child pornography.
Photo by Adrian Wyld

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — RCMP in Nova Scotia have seized three computers and various storage devices during searches of the residences and office of a bishop accused in Ottawa of possessing child porn.

Police say the latest search was Wednesday at the Sydney residence of Bishop Raymond Lahey, who resigned as bishop of the diocese of Antigonish after he was charged with possessing and importing child pornography in Ontario.

Sgt. Brigdit Leger said one computer was seized in the search of an apartment in Sydney. Another two computers were seized Tuesday in Antigonish during a search of Lahey's home and his office in the town.

Leger said the devices will be examined by a special forensic unit based in Halifax.

She said the searches in Antigonish and Sydney were conducted as a result of information obtained from the Ottawa police and a follow up investigation in Nova Scotia.

Police charged Lahey on Sept. 25, 10 days after his laptop computer and digital storage devices were seized as he re-entered Canada from the United Kingdom at the Ottawa airport.

Leger said the latest search warrants are linked to the original charges in Ottawa.

"This is very much an ongoing and active investigation," Leger said. "By no means is it completed."

Lahey, 69, was recently granted a request to live in Ottawa by an Ontario court until his trial begins.

A search warrant used to probe Lahey's laptop computer revealed how customs officers found several sexually explicit images of boys believed to be as young as eight years old while the bishop was detained at Ottawa's airport.

Border officials flagged Lahey because he was a man travelling alone and his passport showed several trips to Southeast Asia, where several countries are known for child pornography.