Retired priest charged with sex crimes could have additional victims

GREENSBURG, Pa. — A retired Catholic priest is charged with sex crimes.

Channel 11 told you about Robert Byrnes’ charges over the weekend, which stem from reports from two victims.

Police State Police say one of Byrnes’ victims walked into their barracks two months ago, which prompted the investigation.

Now, they say there could be more victims after finding photos in the former chaplain’s bedroom.

Pennsylvania State Police release information after Greensburg priest charged with sex crimes State police held a press conference about a local priest who is charged with sex crimes and the ongoing investigation.

That is new information from state police as they continue to investigate former Greensburg Diocese priest Robert Byrnes for alleged sexual assault.

“We do have photographs that were taken from the residence of Mr Byrnes, and those photographs are suspect. Whether it’s a person who is consensually a part of the photograph or not, I don’t know,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Steve Limani said.

The police say all of the photos found were of males, but they did not know who they were or how old they may be.

“Incidents like this are very sensitive in nature, and you have to be very brave to be willing to go through something like this,” Limani said.

Police said two victims have come forward who worked in the kitchen at the Christ Our Shepherd Center in Greensburg, where Byrnes also lived at the time.

In the police report, one victim said Byrnes would take him to casinos to gamble, made him perform a sex act to be forgiven for sins, and said Byrnes gave him alcohol and he woke up naked in the former priest’s bed.

Byrnes also served as the chaplain for state police from 2006 to 2018, the same time as the alleged assaults. According to police, a chaplain is a volunteer position which gave him a badge, uniform, and access to state police facilities and events, including camps with kids.

“There was never an accusation of Father Byrnes being in or inappropriately communicating with the attendees of the camp, I don’t want to say, students, but if there was, we would have obviously made some type of arrest or something moving forward,” Limani said.

According to the Diocese of Greensburg, Byrnes was removed from the ministry eight years ago in August 2018.

August of 2018 was also the time a grand jury report was released detailing sex abuse allegations and cover-ups by six dioceses in the state, including the diocese of Greensburg.

The diocese said they would not be making comments to the media on Monday, but Channel did ask police about why Byrnes left.

“He was aloof with some of the procedures; therefore, there was a separation,” Limani said.

State police would not elaborate and said the procedures were an internal matter.

Troopers ask anyone who may be a victim to come forward. Police say Byrnes is out on secured bond, living in an assisted living facility in Greensburg.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW