Waterford Priest Arrested, to Face Judge Today

By Izaskun E. Larrañeta
The Day
July 3, 2012

http://www.theday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120703/NWS04/120709955/1047

Montville — The Rev. Dennis Carey, the former pastor of St. Paul in Chains Church in Waterford, will be arraigned today on a single count of first-degree possession of child pornography.

Carey, 65, who gave an East Hartford address, resigned on Friday after the diocese had learned a day earlier that state police were investigating him.

Police said that on May 29 the Los Angeles police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, requesting assistance into an investigation that originated in California.

State police obtained information from America Online, which submitted reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning suspected child pornography.

State police, with the assistance of Waterford police, executed search warrants and subpoenas Thursday at St. Paul associated with various email accounts and IP addresses. Computers and other items were seized.

Carey is being held on a $100,000 bond, pending his arraignment today in New London Superior Court.

The Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, released a statement today after learning of Carey's arrest.

"We, along with everyone else, will wait to see how the legal process unfolds and to learn the details of the investigation. These allegations are extremely serious and run contrary to everything we believe as a Church. To exploit children in that fashion is absolutely reprehensible. We pray the allegations are not true.

"This is a sad moment for all of us. We always hope we will never again hear about any investigations or allegations of misconduct by priests. For the parish community, for the priests of the diocese, and for me personally, it is extremely difficult. We are all saddened and deeply hurt."

Cote said state police have the diocese's full cooperation.

Father Joseph Whittel, of Our lady of Perpetual Help Church in Quaker Hill, will serve as interim Parish Administrator.

Carey was ordained a priest in 1998 after a 25-year career as a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, according to biographical information on the diocese website.

Earlier in his career, Carey had been assigned to St. Joseph in New London and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Old Saybrook.

He was appointed pastor at St. John Parish in Middletown in 2003. He previously was administrator of St. John's. He also served at Sacred Heart Parish in Wauregan and Most Holy Trinity in Pomfret.