Child Porn Charges Filed Against Ex Villanova Campus Minister

VILLANOVA, PA – Villanova University's Minister for Latino Outreach is in federal custody after being charged with receiving child pornography, according to authorities.

Timothy O'Connell, 51, of Drexel Hill, was taken into custody following an investigation into child pornography being discussed by a man named Justyn Perez-Colon, according to a criminal complaint filed against O'Connell.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Philadelphia said O'Connell is in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Through the investigation in to Perez-Colon, authorities learned of a person with which Perez-Colon was communicating and sharing child pornography.

Investigators tracked that person's IP address to a Drexel Hill residence, and also learned that the email used by that person was logged into a computer at Villanova University, according to the criminal complaint.

Through that, authorities discovered that it was O'Connell who Perez-Colon was communicating and sharing the child pornography with, the criminal complaint says.

Then on July 10 FBI agents interviewed O'Connell and searched his home, Villanova office, and two vehicles.

During that interview, O'Connell told agents that he in fact was communicating with Perez-Colon and sharing child pornography, the complaint states.

He also admitted to being sexually attracted a third-grade girl he was babysitting and to taking a photograph of a clothed 17-year old female – to whom he said he was attracted – while the child was asleep in his home, according to the criminal complaint.

O'Connell told investigators he bought prepaid phones to hide his conduct from his family.

Villanova has since suspended O'Connell and has barred him from returning to the school's campus.

"Villanova University is appalled and horrified by these allegations," the school said in a statement. "Villanova is fully cooperating with the FBI in its investigation."

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