Retired priest who fought against child sex abuse arrested for child pornography: report

Fox News
February 14, 2018

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/14/retired-priest-who-fought-against-child-sex-abuse-arrested-for-child-pornography-report.html

Authorities say they found hundreds of images of child pornography and drugs in the home of a retired Boise priest, Catholic Rev. W. Thomas Faucher, on Friday.

A retired Idaho priest who fought against child sex abuse in the Catholic church was arrested Friday for possession of child pornography and drug charges, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Authorities had received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and obtained a warrant to search Fr. W. Thomas Faucher’s home, the Statesman reported.

Authorities found images of young children subjected to sexual acts on Faucher’s computer, prosecutors said at a probable cause hearing Monday morning. In email and chat conversations viewed by investigators, Faucher expressed of his desire to “rape and kill children,” another proesutor said.

Faucher was held on a $250,000 bond, forbidden from using the internet and prohibited from having any contact with children under 18, the Statesman reported.

Mark Manweiler, Faucher's lawyer, pressed for his release, arguing that despite being around “tens of thousands” of children, there has never been a claim of abuse or impropriety.

“(Faucher) is well-liked and well-known,” Manweiler said. “He counts among his good friends people at the highest level of both branches, both of state government and our local government and some judicial officials here in Ada County.”

Faucher’s next court date is scheduled Feb. 15.

As a priest, Faucher actively fought against the sexual abuse of children by priests. He has spoken out against the death penalty, supported same-sex marriage and urged for greater recognition of women in the church. According to the Statesman, Faucher has called immigration reform a “moral and economic decision.”