Former local parish priest under investigation for possession of child porn
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
REV. STEPHEN A. POHL
Saturday, Aug. 16, 2015, 11:55 p.m. — A Catholic priest who served at three Nelson County parishes is being investigated for alleged possession of child pornography.
Fr. Stephen A. Pohl, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community in Louisville, was placed on an administrative leave of absence after the Archdiocese of Louisville learned of the charges on Wednesday. The cybercrimes unit of the FBI is investigating, but Pohl is not in police custody.
A press release from the archdiocese states Pohl is being investigated for taking and collecting inappropriate photos of children. St. Margaret Mary parishioners are being notified at weekend Masses.
Cecilia Price, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said they learned of the allegations on Wednesday.
Pohl has been pastor at St. Margaret Mary since 2008.
Pohl is a 1977 graduate of Trinity High School in Louisville. He was ordained in 1985, and he served at St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, St. Thomas and St. Monica Catholic churches.
During his tenure as pastor at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Pohl oversaw the renovation of the church and the historically accurate restoration of the Flaget House log home on the church grounds.
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