JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A federal judge is reconsidering a lower magistrate’s order to release a Pennsylvania priest from jail and put the priest on house arrest until his trial on charges of traveling to Honduras for sex with poor street children during missionary trips.
U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson in Johnstown held a new detention hearing Friday for the Rev. Joseph Maurizio and says he plans to issue a ruling later in the day.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Pesto last week ruled the 69-year-old priest could be released to home detention as long as his bank accounts are frozen and he’s not able to access church-related funds. Prosecutors are concerned Maurizio could use the money to flee the country before he’s prosecuted and appealed to Gibson for a new hearing.
A defense attorney claims the priest has been wrongly accused.
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