An 84-year-old former Pennsylvania state police chaplain has been arrested for alleged sex crimes during his time as a practicing priest, with investigators worried there could be additional victims. Robert Byrnes was recently accused of sexually assaulting two kitchen workers at Christ Our Shepherd Center in Westmoreland County. Troopers searched his church residence and found “suspicious” images of young males. “We don’t know who the individuals are. They appear to be young males. There are two people who we believe, right now, are victims. The concern is with the photographs, there may be other victims,” investigators said. Byrnes served as a state police chaplain for over a decade, giving invocations at ceremonies and regularly appearing at Pennsylvania State Police events, including children’s summer camps.
An 84-year-old former Pennsylvania state police chaplain has been arrested for alleged sex crimes during his time as a practicing priest, with investigators worried there could be additional victims.
Robert Byrnes was recently accused of sexually assaulting two kitchen workers at Christ Our Shepherd Center in Westmoreland County.
Hearst Owned
Robert Byrnes
Troopers searched his church residence and found “suspicious” images of young males.
“We don’t know who the individuals are. They appear to be young males. There are two people who we believe, right now, are victims. The concern is with the photographs, there may be other victims,” investigators said.
Byrnes served as a state police chaplain for over a decade, giving invocations at ceremonies and regularly appearing at Pennsylvania State Police events, including children’s summer camps.