US priest held on sex tourism charges
AP September 26, 2014 By JOE MANDAK of Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A U.S. priest accused of traveling to Honduras to engage in sex with children while promoting missionary work with the poor there has been arrested by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
The Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. was arrested Thursday and will remain in custody until a hearing Monday before a federal magistrate. The judge must decide then whether the priest will remain jailed until he can stand trial.
Bishop Mark Bartchak says Maurizio was placed on leave Sept. 16. That happened four days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents searched a private residence and the rectory at Our Lady Queen of Angels' rectory in Pennsyvlania where Maurizio had been pastor.
Maurizio also faces a child porn charge. His attorney, Steven Passarello, hasn't returned a call seeking comment.
