Read the BND’s coverage of Mascoutah priest accused of possessing child porn, meth

The Rev. Gerald Hechenberger, associate pastor of Holy Childhood Church and school in Mascoutah, was charged Tuesday, Jan. 9 with 16 counts of child pornography and one count of possession of methamphetamine.

He has pleaded not guilty.

He was taken into custody Monday, Jan. 8 and his bail was set at $2 million. He remained in the St. Clair County Jail as of Thursday afternoon.

▪ Associate pastor of Mascoutah church taken into police custody

▪ Mascoutah priest charged with 16 counts of child pornography, possession of meth

▪ Mascoutah priest sent and possessed child porn over seven months, charges say

▪ The Mascoutah church community is ‘heartbroken’ after priest’s arrest, pastor says

▪ Friend says church failed accused priest, puts blame on meth

▪ Mascoutah priest placed on leave amid meth and child-porn charges

▪ Mascoutah priest was ‘subpigboy4u’ online, had leather chaps and straps, police say

▪ Holy Childhood church addresses parishioners about pastor charged with child porn possession

▪ Church still refuses to provide answers on priest charged with having child porn

This story was originally published January 12, 2018 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Read the BND’s coverage of Mascoutah priest accused of possessing child porn, meth."