Convicted child sexual abuser priest from Pennsylvania is given a sentence of 17 years of imprisonment on Wednesday. The said priest was arrested after he sexually abused children in an orphanage during his missionary trips in Honduras.
According to ABC News, Joseph Maurizio Jr. was convicted in September of molesting three boys. He is convicted with engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, also known as "sexual tourism", money laundering in connection with the charity and possessing child pornography.
Johnstown federal prosecutors urged jurors to sentenced him 30 years imprisonment, however, his defense legal team argued to consider his age, his charitable works, years of service in US Navy during Vietnam war and other considering legal factors.
The 70 year old priest lives in Central City, Pennsylvania and had been serving his priesthood in diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Wall Street journal reported. Maurizio started charity and was funded by the members of the community. The charity also supported the shelters for rural town children in Honduras.
Maurizio Jr. took 13 trips to Honduras from 2004 to 2009. Prosecutors reported, during those trips, he committed the crime, on which he sexually abused two underage boys in Honduras shelters. A spokesman for the diocese said, "This is another sad day for our diocese, and, as always, our prayers are with the victims."
The New York Times reported, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, is also under investigated recently for covering up priest, abusing children. Grand jury's report stated, the former diocese leader, Bishop Joseph Adamec learned Father Mauricio's sexual abused claims in 2009. However, the successor, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said, Maurizio continued to served as pastor on a church in Central City, Pennsylvania.
Evidence at trial also showed that Rev. Maurizio used his position at his charity to gain access to boys and that he bought clothes, shoes and jewelry to gain their trust before abusing them. He has been suspended by the diocese since his rectory was raided and he was charged by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents in September 2014.
