Priest pleads guilty to child porn charge

(New York - WABC, November 30, 2006) (WABC) -- A Roosevelt priest revealed he attempted to commit suicide as he pleaded guilty to a single count of child pornography Thursday.

Officials say Roman Catholic priest Thomas G. Saloy admitted that he kept at least three sexually explicit images of minors in a rectory computer at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Roosevelt.

The 45-year-old priest was put on administrative leave by the church after his November 17 arrest.

He reportedly told Judge Joseph F. Bianco that he had sought counseling as early as 2000, when he joined a group called Sexual Compulsives Anonymous.

As the judge sought to evaluate Saloy's psychological state in preparation for sentencing, scheduled for March 23, Saloy said: "After the FBI investigation began, I took an overdose of pills and slit my wrists."

As the condition of today's plea, he faces five years in prison or a psychological treatment facility.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•