Priest Set For Arraignment On New Charges In Child-sex Case
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A suspended Roman Catholic priest faces arraignment before a federal magistrate in western Pennsylvania on additional charges that he traveled to Honduras to have sex with poor street children during missionary trips.
The Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. has been jailed since last fall when federal prosecutors in Johnstown accused him of molesting one boy, and possessing child pornography.
Wednesday's court appearance in Johnstown stems from a new indictment adding two new alleged victims and charges the priest sent $8,000 to a charity to help facilitate the trips which ended in 2009.
Maurizio's attorney, Stephen Passarello, says his investigative team in Honduras has line up witnesses to challenge the allegations, which the 69-year-old priest denies.
The defense attorney is also expected to challenge the government's request to keep the priest in jail until he stands trial.
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