Quebec Deacon Facing Child Porn Charges Gets Bail

CBC News
December 27, 2012

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/12/27/police-tips-deacon-child-porn.html

[with video]

A Quebec deacon charged with producing and distributing child pornography was granted bail today.

The judge told William Kokesch, 65, he will have to deposit $10,000 cash with the court.

He is not allowed to use computers and must not be in the presence of anyone under the age of 18 without another adult's supervision.

The deacon from Montreal's West Island has been behind bars since he was arrested on Friday.

At the defence's request, the judge granted a publication ban on today's proceedings, which means that evidence and testimony offered in court cannot be reported.

Defence lawyer Jeffrey Boro said his client will comply with his strict bail restrictions.

He said Kokesch would also be seeking professional help.

"Because of the nature of the accusation, there will be some therapy that will be looked at," said Boro.

The prosecution, however, said it's not ruling out appealing the judge's decision to grant Kokesch bail.

"There are restrictive conditions," said Crown prosecutor Dominique Potvin. "Of course, we will study the decision to see if we don't have to introduce another process as a revision of the bail that was granted today."

William Kokesch must put up $10,000 and stay away from children

Kokesch was charged Saturday via video link after police searched his west-end home a day earlier.

Montreal police Const. Danny Richer said today that authorities have received more tips since Kokesch's photo was made public.

Richer said people have been coming forward since Kokesch's photo was made public.

"Some people have called InfoCrime Montreal to give some information and other people came to any police station in Montreal. So investigators have received new information," he said.

Kokesch, a deacon for a church in the Montreal suburb of Beaconsfield, was relieved of his duties after charges were laid

Police said investigators seized more than 2,000 child porn images from his home.

Kokesch is set to return to court on Feb. 27.