Columbia County priest arrested for possession of kiddie porn

Albany – A 50-year-old Hudson, NY man has been arrested by federal authorities and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography.

Raymond Ethier was released on $25,000 bond following an initial court appearance.

Ethier is said to be a Catholic priest, at St. John Vianney in Churchtown.

The court also imposed home detention, electronic monitoring and no unsupervised contact with minors.

The complaint charges Ethier with receiving and possessing child pornography between July of 2006, and May 10, 2007. According to the complaint, Ethier used a computer software program to obtain and download computer videos depicting minors engaged in sexual conduct. His computer was confiscated from his home and authorities said a number of kiddie porn videos were recovered.

If convicted, Ethier faces from five to 20 years in prison plus a fine of $250,000.