Mascoutah, IL  (KTRS)   A metro-east Catholic priest is facing charges in connection with child a pornography case.

On Tuesday, Father Gerald Hechenberger was charged with sixteen counts of felony child pornography and possession of meth. Hechenberger is an associate pastor of Holy Childhood of Jesus Parish in Mascoutah.

Acting on a tip, investigators executed a search warrant at the rectory, where they seized several child porn images and videos. They also discovered less than five grams of meth.

The 54-year-old priest is being held on $2,000,000.