BOARDMAN A hospital chaplain in the Columbiana County Jail after being arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material following a search of his Beloit home.
Joseph Sabella, 37, who investigators say works as a chaplain at Aultman Hospital in Alliance, was taken into custody early Wednesday after a search warrant was executed at his Stanley Drive home by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office.
The hospital has since placed Sabella on leave.
"Mr. Sabella had gotten flagged by a service provider because he uploaded an image of child sexual assault material," an undercover task force agent said.
Investigators tell 21 News they found both printed and digitally stored child sexual abuse material. A preliminary review of seized digital devices suggests they may contain thousands of images and videos.
"It's just something rare," he said about the large number of printed images, "I can't tell you a time in all the cases I've worked that I've seen that."
Sabella was arraigned in Columbiana County Municipal Court on Thursday on felony charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor, pandering obscenity involving a minor, and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.
"With technology, these service providers and the algorithm they use to flag this stuff... you're going to get caught," he added, "It's only a matter of time."
A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Monday.
Aultman Hospital said in a statement:
We were shocked when we learned of the allegations about one of our employees.
The privacy and safety of all Aultman patients, visitors and colleagues is of paramount importance to Aultman. Given that this is an active police matter, Aultman will have no further comment at this time.
We urge anyone with information or questions to contact the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office at 330-424-7255.
The hospital added, "When we were made aware of the allegations, he was immediately placed on leave pending investigation."