Former Priest Living in Asbury Park Charged in Virginia Sex Case with Minor

By Joshua Chung
Asbury Park Press
March 16, 2020

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A former priest living in Asbury Park has been indicted on charges of with carnal knowledge of a minor, according to Mark R. Herring, attorney general for Virginia.

On March 12, Scott Asalone, 63, was indicted for carnal knowledge of a minor between 13 and 15 years old, after Herring and Virginia State Police conducted an investigation of clergy abuse in the state, officials said. Asalone's case will be tried at the Loudoun County Circuit Court in Leesburg, Virginia.

In 1985, Asalone was allegedly connected to a sexual contact case, which involved a former parishioner, officials said. During this time, Asalone was a member of the clergy assigned to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, Virginia.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni makes an announcement about the arrest of two Asbury Park police officers changed with damaging cars after an internal affairs complaint was filed against them. Asbury Park Press

On Saturday, Asalone was arrested and charged by Virginia State Police and New Jersey officials in Asbury Park. Virginia is now in the process of extraditing him.

“This is the first criminal indictment stemming from our ongoing investigation with Virginia State Police into potential clergy abuse,” said Herring.

Herring said the investigation is ongoing and anyone who has information related to the case is asked to contact the attorney general's office.

"I know that stepping forward to share your experience can be difficult or scary but I want you to know that, even if it happened years ago, we will still take it seriously and make sure you get the help and support you need,” said Herring.

Officials said these are the first charges of an ongoing investigation regarding if sexual abuse of children may have occurred in Virginia's Catholic dioceses. In addition, this includes whether leadership in the dioceses may have covered up or abetted any such crimes, according to officials.