CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago Catholic priest removed from his pastoral duties while authorities investigated questionable material stored on his computer has been charged with possessing child pornography.
The Rev. Octavio Munoz Capetillo appeared in court Wednesday in Chicago. His bond was set at $50,000.
Police say he was arrested Tuesday in Rockville, Maryland, and extradited to Chicago.
Archbishop Blase Cupich (blayz SOO’-pich) removed Capetillo from pastoral duties in July 2015 after informing prosecutors that church officials found “sexual images and material” on his computer. At the time, Capetillo was pastor of St. Pancratius Church on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
The Archdiocese of Chicago issued a statement Wednesday saying Cupich removed Capetillo from ministry after learning the material found on his computer might involve minors.