ROCHESTER (NY)
WHEC
Father Michael Volino pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing child pornography and now faces possible jail time. Volino, who was a priest at St. John The Evangelist Church in Greece, appeared in federal court with his attorney John Parrinello, his parents and friends.
In court he answered numerous questions from the judge before he signed his plea agreement. Most of the time it was "yes, your honor." Or "yes, sir."
The plea closes another chapter in the church's ongoing problem with priests who have fallen from grace.
The diocese information technology officer discovered the child pornography images on Volino’s computer. The diocese then turned over the computer to the FBI. The plea agreement says there were more than 600 pictures of boys under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit activity. “Father Volino accepted responsibility for his conduct. He has continually expressed remorse for engaging in the conduct that he did. And he is fully resolved that nothing like this will ever happen again in his lifetime,” said Parrinello.
The maximum sentence is ten years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.