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New details are emerging into the investigation of a priest in the Diocese of Scranton.
Less than two weeks ago, Father Philip Altavilla was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl back in 1998.
Scranton police say Father Altavilla inappropriately touched the girl after giving her alcohol after midnight mass on Christmas in 1998.
A search warrant filed in connection with the case by Scranton police indicates investigators have seized the computer and phone of Father Altavilla.
The sign outside Saint Peter’s Cathedral has been changed within the last two weeks.
With Father Philip Altavilla suspended from his position in the Diocese of Scranton, his name has been removed from the board that once indicated he was Cathedral Priest. …
Eyewitness News has obtained a search warrant application made by Scranton police who were looking to seize the computer and the phone belonging to the long-time priest from his room in the rectory building, which is right next to Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
During an interview with detectives, the search warrant says, “the defendant admitted that he struggled with a pantyhose, feet, strangulation and chlorofoam fetish.”
The paperwork continues, “Altavilla also admitted that he uses the internet to research videos and images depicting women being strangulated, given chloroform and then sexually assaulted.”
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