PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former DeSales University priest, who is connected to royalty, has been indicted on child pornography charges.
Federal authorties say William McCandless collected thousands of images and videos of child pornography while overseas as an advisor to Princess Charlene of Monaco for several years — the collection is described by authorities as “the torture of very young children” — and brought them back to the states.
Authorities say McCandless tried to get similar images back in the U.S. while also doing searches for “how to disappear” and “how to erase from the cloud.”
The 56-year-old was assigned to St. Charles Parish in the Principality of Monaco, and according to his biography, has also worked at Northeast Catholic High School.
Facing three counts — possessing, transporting and attempting to access child porn — McCandless has been arraigned and is under house arrest.
If convicted, he could face up to 60 years in prison.