Poker-Playing Priest Wanted In PA On Child Porn Charges Arrested In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man and Catholic priest wanted on child pornography charges in Pennsylvania is in the Ocean County Jail, according to jail records.

Kevin A. Gugliotta, 54, is being held at the jail on a no-bail warrant, according to jail records. The Asbury Park Press reported 40 child pornography counts — 20 counts of possession and 20 counts of dissemination — have been filed against Gugliotta in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. He is awaiting extradition, court documents say.

Gugliotta's home address is listed as Toms River, according to the Wayne County criminal complaint.

But according to the Pocono Record, Gugliotta serves as a priest at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Union, New Jersey, and has a home in Mahwah.

The Asbury Park Press also reported Gugliotta was a high-ranked poker player.

Gugliotta was charged as the result of an investigation that began in August when detectives in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, received a report of child pornography being uploaded to an internet chat room from a specific IP address, according to the Pocono Record, and the IP address was registered to Gugliotta, who had a residence in Lehigh Township, Pennsylvania.

The Record said detectives called Holy Spirit Church and spoke to Gugliotta, who said he was unable to come back to Pennsylvania until the following Monday and described the Wayne County apartment as his "day off place" where he goes on his time off.

The archdiocese issued a statement Wednesday morning from James Goodness, vice chancellor and director of communications, saying Gugliotta had been removed from his ministry position.

"Earlier this month, law enforcement officials from Pennsylvania advised the Archdiocese that Father Kevin Gugliotta, a priest of the Archdiocese, was suspected of possession and dissemination of child pornography.

"Father’s activities are alleged to have occurred in Pennsylvania, where he maintains a vacation home, using his personal laptop. There are no allegations that he may have engaged in similar activities in New Jersey.
Upon learning this information, Archbishop John J. Myers immediately removed Father Gugliotta from ministry, ordered him to vacate his most recent parish assignment, and keep the Archdiocese and law enforcement informed of his whereabouts while the authorities in Pennsylvania continued developing their case.

"The Archdiocese has maintained regular contact with the authorities in Pennsylvania while this matter has developed, but deferred making any premature statement about Father Gugliotta so as not to affect or interfere in any way with the actions of law enforcement.

"On Friday, October 21, the authorities in Pennsylvania advised the Archdiocese that New Jersey law enforcement authorities, acting on behalf of the Pennsylvania authorities, arrested Father Gugliotta. He currently is in police custody pending extradition to Pennsylvania to face charges.

"It is important to remember that the American system of justice assumes the presumption of innocence of the accused. This is a serious and difficult matter that must proceed, as required, through the court process of the State of Pennsylvania. As a result, the Archdiocese is not in a position to discuss the details of Father Gugliotta’s situation at this time.

"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. 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. Information on how to report abuse to the Archdiocese and County Prosecutors can be found here.

According to the poker database The Hendon Mob, Gugliotta has won nearly $200,000.

Kevin A. Gugliotta photo via Ocean County Corrections Department; handcuffs via Shutterstock