Villanova University campus ministry staff member charged with child porn

Delaware County (WTXF) - Police say a Villanova University staff member has been arrested and charged for child porn.

The criminal complaint from U.S. District Court includes shocking allegations that 51-year-old Timothy O'Connell, a campus ministry staff member at Villanova University, knowingly received child pornography on a mobile chat messaging service.

In February, he was allegedly sent a sexually explicit photo of a 1 and a half year old toddler female, the complaint says he responded, "Cool. she is cute."

And upon receiving webpage screenshots of other female toddlers, he allegedly commented "Very hot. Yes very nice."

When interviewed by the FBI Tuesday, the complaint says he confessed to receiving the image and also "acknowledged to having babysat a third grade female in the past and to being sexually attracted to the child."

The school released a statement saying, "Villanova University is appalled and horrified by these allegations. The university has suspended this individual and he is not permitted to return to campus. Villanova is fully cooperating with the FBI in its investigation.

No one answered the door at his Drexel Hill home Wednesday.