PENNSYLVANIA
WNEP
[with video]
April 14, 2014, by Stacy Lange
SCRANTON — While Roman Catholic priests in our area are committed to Holy Week these days. A priest in the Diocese of Scranton may be facing more trouble.
Court papers filed by Lackawanna County detectives focus on the questionable behavior of the former pastor of Saint Peter’s Cathedral already facing charges.
Newswatch 16 obtained a copy of a search warrant Scranton Police filed after they went to the rectory at St. Peter’s Cathedral earlier this month to arrest Father Phil Altavilla. Investigators need the warrant to search the priest’s computer and phone.
A search warrant approved by a magistrate in Lackawanna County says more about what Fr. Phil Altavilla told his alleged victim. The warrant describes a recorded conversation with her just before the priest’s arrest on child sex abuse charges. …
The search warrant says, “Altavilla also admitted that he uses the internet to research videos and images depicting women being strangulated, given chloroform, and then sexually assaulted.”
The priest willingly gave up his computer, Ipad, and cell phone for investigators to search.
Investigators will wait to see if what they find on those devices leads them to more charges against Altavilla or more victims.
Scranton Police detectives said it may take weeks for investigators to search Altavilla’s computer and phone.
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