Police have charged Chicago parish music director, Brian Milnikel, and his roommate, with possession of child pornography.
Milnikel, 45, music director at St James the Apostle in the western suburb, and Christopher Kontopoulos, 20, both of the 800 block of Nelli Court in Naperville, had bail set at $200,000 and $100,000, respectively, by DuPage County Judge Liam Brennan, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Doug Delaney, spokesman for the Joliet diocese, said Milnikel was employed by St. James as music director since 2006.
According to Delaney, one of Milnikel's responsibilities was leading the church children's choir, which was made up of about a dozen children from first and second grade. Milnikel practiced with the choir three days a month and there was always at least one parent present at the rehearsals, he said.
Milnikel was removed from his position with the church on Tuesday, Delaney said.
Before St. James, Milnikel worked at St Raphael Church in Naperville as assistant music director from 2004 through 2006.
Delaney said that before hiring Milnikel, the diocese conducted an extensive background and fingerprint check.
FULL STORY @
Church music director charged with child porn (Chicago Tribune)
LINKS
Joliet diocese