Man Arrested At Church Where RI Priest Faces Child Porn Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man is in jail after police said he threatened a priest and several parishioners with a gun Monday night, multiple news outlets confirmed.

According to WJAR, William Nesbitt, 28, of Providence confronted churchgoers outside St. Mary's Church on Broadway. Police told the TV station that his threats were directly related to the arrest of Rev. James Jackson, 66, over the weekend.

Jackson is accused of sharing child pornography over the internet at the church, according to Rhode Island State Police. He was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of child pornography, transfer of child pornography and child erotica prohibited.

Prior to his arrest, state police said they executed a court-authorized search warrant at St. Mary’s Church and rectory. Father Jackson was identified as the owner of digital media believed to be involved in the possession and transfer of child pornography and child erotica.

Jackson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Steven Crawford and held on $5,000 surety bail.

Two days after Jackson's arrest, The Providence Journal reported that Monday night, witnesses reported that Nesbitt was "yelling at the group to get out of here, and that they support child molesters." Nesbitt is said to have then lifted his shirt and flashed a black handgun.

Police told several news outlets that the priest who was threatened by Nesbitt was a fill-in for Jackson.

According to WLNE, Nesbitt was arrested shortly after the incident. He faces 10 counts of disorderly conduct and one count of carrying a handgun.

SEE ALSO:

• RI Pastor Facing Child Pornography Charges