PENNSYLVANIA
WTRF
By The Associated Press
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) – A suspended Pennsylvania priest convicted of sexually assaulting poor street children during missionary trips to Honduras faces sentencing in federal court.
Federal prosecutors in Johnstown are expected to seek a long prison term for 70-year-old Joseph Maurizio Jr., while his attorneys are seeking a lesser term due to his age, charitable works and other factors.
They’ve also said the priest denies wrongdoing and have previously said they may appeal a federal judge’s refusal last month to grant the priest a new trial.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown suspended Maurizio after federal prosecutors filed charges in September 2014.
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