Kingston church custodian arrested for possession of child pornography

The custodian and groundskeeper at a Kingston church has been arrested and charged with two counts of child pornography, confirms the church’s clergy.

Doug Snider was arrested at the church on Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2020, confirmed Father Shawn Hughes, Rector at St Mary’s Cathedral, in an interview.

“He was arrested on Tuesday last week at 11:40 a.m., Kingston Police came to (St. Mary’s Parish Centre) with a warrant,” said Father Hughes. “He was arrested on two instances of possession of child pornography…we haven’t gotten any more information since then.”

According to Father Hughes, Snider was an employee of the church for four years. Snider was immediately suspended from his employment at St. Mary’s, as per Archdiocesan policy. He remains in custody, according to Father Hughes. Due to the nature of the charges, should he be released, will not be permitted on the grounds or premises of St. Mary’s Cathedral. 

According to Father Hughes, Snider used his own personal wifi and computer, and the church was not aware of any misconduct until Kingston Police arrived at the parish centre with a warrant. Father Hughes says Kingston Police seized Snider’s personal computer at that time.

Father Hughes says that the Archdiocese of Kingston is conducting its own investigation into the matter and will be directed by any guidance received from Kingston Police Service. Any person who believes there are additional matters of sexual misconduct by Doug Snider should contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660.