(CNN) -- A former Catholic priest in Waterford, Connecticut, has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to a statement Tuesday from Waterford police.

Dennis Carey, 66, who resigned recently, was being held on $100,000 bond after appearing Tuesday in New London Superior Court, the statement said. It was not immediately clear whether Carey entered a plea during the court appearance.

Neither Carey nor his attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.

Waterford police said they arrested Carey on Monday.

According to the police statement, the investigation began in May after America Online (AOL) submitted a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children "concerning suspected child pornography that had been sent using an AOL email account."

The probe started in Los Angeles, but then led "to a possible suspect residing in the State of Connecticut," where authorities seized evidence at the St. Paul Parish Rectory in Waterford.

"These allegations are extremely serious and run contrary to everything we believe as a Church," said Catholic Bishop Michael R. Cote of the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut. "To exploit children in that fashion is absolutely reprehensible. We pray the allegations are not true."