Neighbors Shocked at Catholic Diocese Employee's Child Porn Charges

By Crystal Price
Fox 14
August 6, 2014

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/neighbors-shocked-at-catholic-diocese-employees-child-porn-charges-5920.shtml#.U-TDIfl_uSp

[statement from the diocese]

On Wednesday, Victor Jerome Reza, 53, made his initial appearance in federal court as he faces on charges of possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

Officers with the Department of Homeland Security arrested Reza at his home on Sundance Avenue in far east El Paso yesterday.

Homeland Security Investigations officials said child porn videos and pictures were found in his home.

We have no word on the age of the children in the material or if they are local.

HSI officials said it is one of their main priorities to identify the victims.

The Diocese of El Paso's Chancery Office confirmed late Wednesday that Reza is a member of the Diocesan School Board and has served since 2008.

According to that statement, Catholic school policies require that board members undergo a criminal background check and Safe Environment training for the diocese. The diocese added that Mr. Reza had completed those requirements.

The diocese would not comment any more specifically on Reza's case but they did say the following: "In the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, we have diligently worked to make our parishes and schools safe from predators to educate our people on the scourge of sexual

misconduct and abuse."

According to Homeland Security Investigations, court documents showed he had worked as an IT staff member at the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.

Neighbors KFOX 14 talked to said they were shocked by the news.

"My kids are out playing all the time and that they would have been subject to any of that is even extremely more concerning to me," one neighbor said.

One neighbor who did not want to appear on camera even broke down in tears.

She said she had invited Reza to her daughter's birthday party just a few days ago.

"Oh my God, I'm glad that he didn't come, I'm glad," the neighbor said. "I know that his family didn't know, they didn't know. My mind changed completely. This experience is painful to me."

KFOX 14 did go to Reza's home for further comment from family members, but no one came to the door.

Reza remains in jail and his bond has not been set.

His preliminary hearing and his detention hearing have been scheduled for Aug. 11.