NFL veteran Jake McQuaide was escorted out of church by police this past weekend following accusations that a priest viewed porn on a church computer, according to ABC9 in Cincinnati.
McQuaide, who has spent the past 14 seasons in the NFL, reportedly was taken out of Our Lady of the Visitation in Green Township, Ohio during Mass on Saturday afternoon by police.
McQuaide reportedly loudly demanded answers from Archdiocese of Cincinnati Chancellor Jason Williams. Williams was addressing the congregation at Our Lady of the Visitation and reading a letter from Archbishop Robert Casey after allegations were made against priest Martin Bachman.
According to ABC9 in Cincinnati, Todd Zureick, who is a member of the church, said he saw images from a laptop of Bachman’s that contained “thumbnails to pornography sites and links to multiple virtual reality role-playing sites involving pornography, sexual assault, group sex, rape, and occult themes.”
Zureick warned the congregation that “There will be claims today that inappropriate material was not found. It was. That is the truth,” according to a video obtained by ABC9.
As Zureick predicted, Williams read a letter from Casey to the congregation that denied that there was any wrongdoing, according to ABC9. However, he did say that Martin Bachman will be taking a "previously planned sabbatical.”
“Several concerns have been brought to the attention of the archdiocese. These have been investigated, and no wrongdoing — either criminally or ecclesiastically — has been substantiated … consequently, like gossip, the spreading of rumors is sinful, and we should all work to overcome this tendency of our fallen human nature,” Williams said, reading Casey’s letter aloud.
The letter added that Green Township police confirmed that there is no evidence or investigation of criminal wrongdoing.
However, Green Township police Capt. Mitch Hill said officers never investigated and were not asked to investigate the allegations, according to ABC9.
According to videos obtained by ABC9, Jake McQuaide stood up from his pew and loudly asked, “Did the priest use our parish computer to look at pornography? … true or false?"
“This is not the time for this,” a voice from the altar said in response.
McQuaide fired back.
“I’m sorry, sir, this is the time and the place. I will stand up,” he said, adding that: “You can look at pornography at your house, but you cannot do it here.”
Two police officers then approached McQuaide, who said “I am not trespassing.”
He was then led down the center aisle of the church by the officers.
Zureick added while speaking to the congregation that, "In late March, my wife and I received images from a laptop located in the parish office, operated by Fr. Bachman. These images showed thumbnails to pornography sites and links to multiple virtual reality role-playing sites involving pornography, sexual assault, group sex, rape, and occult themes."
Zureick filed an official complaint with the archdiocese on April 14, according to ABC9.
Zureick reportedly said that the hardcore games had titles such as The Mortuary Assistant, Autopsy Simulator, Sex Hotel, Lust Hotel, and VR Secretary. The games reportedly involved sexual violence and torture, sexual behavior with corpses, and other disturbing behavior.
According to ABC9, the archdiocese issued a statement that reads:
“The allegation that [Father] Bachman used a parish-owned computer to view pornography is false. Neither Our Lady of the Visitation Parish nor the Divine Mercy Family of Parishes has ever issued Fr. Bachman a computer. As Archbishop Casey has stated, everyone faces particular challenges in life. Priests are no different. The archdiocese will continue to assist its priests and employees with their personal and spiritual growth.”
Jake McQuaide has played for the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins during his career. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2017.
Prior to beginning his NFL career, McQuaide attended Ohio State University. The 37-year-old is currently a free agent.