A brother who taught at a Catholic high school's confession to a superior led to his criminal charges Watch video
Brother John Spalding in court Thursday. METUCHEN -- A brother's confession to his superior began the investigation that led to his being charged with possession of pornography, the head of his religious order said Friday.
John Spalding, who taught history at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, is now facing third degree charges of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of child pornography.
He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The 74-year-old "came forward voluntarily and informed a superior that he had been making inappropriate use of the Internet," according to a statement released by Brother Mark Hilton, provincial, Province of the United States, Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Rhode Island.
Hilton said Spalding was immediately removed from active ministry, received counseling at a residential treatment facility, and is now confined to service "in our retirement community."
"In line with our protection policies, he is being supervised and has been restricted from contact with minors," Hilton said.
He said, "The Brothers of the Sacred Heart have been cooperating with the criminal authorities since the inception of the investigation."
"I was surprised and saddened by the charges," Hilton said. "Such behaviors are so foreign to our goals and mission as a religious community. The brothers will continue to cooperate with authorities. As brothers, we are called to the care and formation of young people. In light of that mission, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart have strict policies regarding the appropriate use of the Internet expected of our members."
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said Spalding is charged with downloading and viewing the material on his computer at the high school on June 21, 2015.
Carey said the investigation began after an unidentified official contacted police.
Erin Friedlander, a spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen said it was an official of the diocese who contacted police.
Hilton said it was a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart who contacted the diocese.
Spalding is free on $75,000 bail and is back home in Rhode Island. He surrendered himself to Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas in New Brunswick Thursday morning.
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