性视界传媒

NESBIT, Miss. - Authorities arrested a priest in training in DeSoto County as part of a child exploitation operation, according to DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle.

Tuggle said detectives with the department's Internet Crimes Against Children Division executed a search warrant in Nesbit, MS, on Thursday, July 10. That search warrant was part of a law enforcement operation targeting people wanted for child exploitation crimes, according to the sheriff. Tuggle said led investigators arrested 24-year-old Jonathan Nguyen-Voung, a priest in training, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Olive Branch, where Nguyen-Voung worked as a religious educator.聽

Nguyen-Voung is charged with multiple felonies, including possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography and distribution of child pornography.聽

Tuggle said detectives recovered multiple files containing explicit material involving minors from electronic devices seized at the home in Nesbitt.

"One device was actively downloading child abuse material at the time investigators arrived," Tuggle said.聽

According to the sheriff, Nguyen-Voung is being held without bail.聽

"I want to be clear. We take all crimes seriously, especially crimes committed against our children. We will be relentless in our pursuit of these predators," Tuggle said.聽

Immediately after Tuggle announced his arrest, the Diocese of Jackson, which oversees Catholic church in Mississippi released the following statement:

"The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that children served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by the Church personnel. Diocesan policies and procedures currently in place seek to protect, enhance and, in some cases, restore the trust that our faith calls for between agents of the Church and the children and adolescents entrusted to our care. In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People passed by the U.S. bishops in Dallas, the Diocese of Jackson wishes to encourage any victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Clergy to come forward and begin the healing process.聽We encourage any victim to contact Erika Rojas, Victims Assistance Coordinator at 601-326-3736.聽To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop, please visit聽聽or call 1-800-276-1562."

The release from the Diocese also included a statement from the聽Dehonians USA Priests of the Sacred Heart about Nguyen-Voung's arrest.聽

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Jonathan聽Nguyen-Voung, a seminarian with the Priests of the Sacred Heart who has lived with us in Mississippi for the past two years, has been accused of possession of child pornography and is now in custody with the authorities. The Priests of the Sacred Heart take the protection of minors very seriously and are cooperating fully with authorities... If you or someone you know is being abused or you suspect abuse is occurring, contact the police department immediately. The Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Priests of the Sacred Heart is Mr. Mike Reily. He can be reached at 817-600-9020," the order's statement read.聽