ST. LOUIS, MO ( KPLR )—
A St. Louis area priest is charged with trying to pay for sex from a sixteen year old girl. However, FBI agents say the "girl" he was communicating with was actually an undercover agent.The U.S. Attorney's office says James Patrick Grady responded Wednesday to an ad on the internet placed by undercover agents.
"The advertisement indicated that young females of an indeterminate age were available," according to a release from the U.S.Attorney. After that, officials say there was a string of emails that went back and forth between Grady and the agents. Grady was told two females were available and was then sent a "morphed" photograph of a sixteen year old girl.
Officials say Grady then inquired about, "the price," and was quoted a price for a half hour and one hour with the teen. Grady allegedly responded he wanted a half hour with the girl, and emailed, "that's fine" when told she was only sixteen years old.
Grady allegedly arranged a meeting with the fictional girls, but was instead met by F.B.I agents and arrested. It was at the time of the arrest, agents say he told them he was a priest.
The website for St. Raphael the Archagnel Church in South City lists a Rev. James P. Grady as the parish priest.
The formal charge against Grady is attempted sex trafficking of children.
Grady is one of three people charged in the sting operation. Matthew S. Nichol, 43, of St. Charles County was indicted July 16th and David P. Hawkey, 24, of Florissant was charged earlier this week.
Officials say each faces up to ten years to life in prison and/or fines up to $500-thousand.
Here is a list of Father Grady's past assignments as a Catholic Priest:
1977, June 8: Assoc. Pastor, Little Flower Parish, Richmond Heights, MO
1983, June 8: Assoc. Pastor, Assumption Parish, Mattese, Lemay,MO
1988, Feb. 4: St. Ferdinand Parish, Florissant, MO
1992, June 20: Assoc. Pastor, Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
1994, June 14: Assoc, Pastor, Holy Family Parish, St. Louis, MO
1995, Sept. 1: Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Elsberry, MO
2001, June 25: Pastor, Holy Innocents Parish, St. Louis, MO.
2005, July 5: Pastor of Saint Raphael Parish, St. Louis
St. Raphael The Archangel Parish Website
