Mark Briggs - The Minister with Child porn and a rationalizing wife

Federal law enforcement officers arrested a part-time minister in Beaumont on charges of downloading several images of child pornography.

The arrest was part of 'Operation Predator', an effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to crack down on internet child pornography.

This week, a federal grand jury in Beaumont indicted Mark Briggs on two counts of child pornography.

Friday morning, Federal Magistrate Keith Giblin held a hearing on the case.

Agents with immigration and customs enforcement arrested the 44 year old Briggs early Friday and escorted him into the federal building in downtown Beaumont.

Briggs is charged with possession of child pornography and downloading child pornography off of a "pay per view" internet website on October 16.

Investigators seized his home computer and when they looked at what was on the hard drive, they said they found five images of child porn.

During the hearing, Briggs' wife told us he was born and raised in the Beaumont area and is a part time minister at New Temple Christ Holy Church on Pine Street in Beaumont's north end.

Briggs' wife showed tears inside the courtroom. During the hearing, her husband pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Joyce Briggs said she'll stand by him.

"He's a good father, a good husband and an excellent provider," Briggs told KFDM News. "He just got caught up in this mess."

They have a five year old son together.. And each has children from a previous marriage.

The magistrate set Briggs' bond at $50,000. His final pre-trial hearing will be February 23 in Beaumont federal court.

If convicted of downloading child porn, Briggs could face at least ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

If convicted of possessing child porn, his maximum sentence would be ten years and the same fine.

Briggs bonded out of jail Friday.