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N.J. Priest Accused Of Child Porn Possession, Distribution

HONESDALE, Pa. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Roman Catholic priest from New Jersey has been charged in Pennsylvania with uploading child pornography to an internet chat room.

Rev. Kevin Gugliotta, of Mahwah -- who also happens to be a nationally-ranked poker player -- is charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography and 20 counts of dissemination of child pornography.

The activities are alleged to have occurred in Pennsylvania where Gugliotta has a vacation home, said said James Goodness of the Archdiocese of Newark. He is alleged to have used his personal laptop, according to Goodness.

There are no allegations that he may have engaged in similar activities in New Jersey.

He was arrested last week in Toms River, New Jersey, and is being held pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said Wednesday the images were uploaded from an internet address registered to Gugliotta in Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania.

Gugliotta's attorney, Jim Swetz, says it doesn't appear investigators recovered the device Gugliotta allegedly used.

Gugliotta is parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Church in Union, New Jersey. He recently transferred there from the Immaculate Conception Church in Mahwah.

"The Archdiocese of Newark takes very seriously any and all complaints of sexual misconduct by members of the Clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese, its parishes and schools," said Goodness. "Anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct is encouraged to inform the Archdiocese immediately so that it may take appropriate action and provide support to the victim."

As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, the brick church's big white doors were locked tight late Wednesday. A woman who stuck her head out directed questions to the archdiocese.

Silverman ran the allegations by a father who was picking up his young daughter at the Holy Spirit Church School. He said the allegations disturbed him.

"Yeah it does, it really does," he said.

Swetz is attacking the probe and said Gugliotta will "vigorously" defend himself.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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