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More Child Pornography Charges Brought Against Local Priest

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – There is new evidence against a Catholic priest who was arrested over the weekend on child pornography charges.

The KDKA Investigators have learned police executed a search warrant at the rectory where Fr. Bart Sorensen lived, which has resulted in new charges bring filed.

Investigators describe the new evidence against the priest as devastating and disturbing. One source close to the investigation told KDKA-TV's Marty Griffin that "Fr. Sorensen is in big trouble."

The new evidence included thousands and thousands of images of children engaged in sex acts.

County Police ran a second search warrant at St. John Fisher Church in the rectory and in the office of Fr. Sorensen's office.

According to the criminal complaint, police found three cd's that revealed over 5,000 images of child pornography.

Also discovered were100 recordable compact discs containing in excess of several thousand images of children engaged in prohibited sexual acts.

Numerous books, printed out photographs and cut-out photographs depicting children engaged in prohibited sex acts were also discovered.

Griffin talked with Catholic Bishop David Zubik on Monday before the new charges were filed.

"Almost disbelief. I was in the Seminary with him. What a wonderful charitable guy he has been. I'd have never believed this could have possibly happened," Bishop Zubik said.

Sorensen was arrested on Saturday after an employee said she saw child pornography on his computer.

Police ran a second search warrant at the rectory Monday night and found much of the new evidence in the sitting room and bedroom belonging to Fr. Sorensen.

Several new charges were filed against Fr. Sorensen, including several counts of sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography.

Fr. Sorensen was arraigned on the new charges Tuesday. Magistrate Jim Motznik set a straight cash bond of $100,000.

Fr. Sorensen is expected to appear in court on Dec. 20 for a preliminary hearing.

RELATED LINKS:
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