Bail Denied for Suspended Philly Area Priest Charged With Child Porn

A judge has denied bail for a suspended Philadelphia-area priest accused of having posted and exchanged child pornography images on a photo-sharing site.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that U.S. District Judge Lawrence Stengel on Wednesday reversed a lower court's decision that freed the Rev. Mark Haynes.

Stengel said the allegations, if proven, would establish a "consistent pattern of predatory conduct toward minor children."

Defense attorney Alan Taubert, said his 55-year-old client "emphatically denied" the allegations and cited his client's cooperation. Prosecutors said they are examining other allegations against the defendant.

Haynes has been vicar of Saints Simon & Jude parish in Chester County's Westtown Township since 2013. He was ordained in 1985 and has also served in seven other suburban Philadelphia parishes.