NEW YORK
WHEC
10/13/05
A local priest who admitted possessing child pornography was scheduled to learn his fate Thursday. Instead a federal judge has delayed sentencing. Judge David Larimer says he needs to have a hearing before he can sentence Father Michael Volino.
Volino has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography but there are still some issues in dispute. Earlier this year FBI agents say they found more than 600 pictures of young boys engaged in sexual activity on Volino's church computer. The government says some of those pictures were violent or sadistic in nature.
Before sentencing Volino Judge Larimer wants to know how many of those pictures had actually been enlarged and viewed by Volino.
The judge set a hearing date for December 7th but defense attorney John Parrinello hopes to settle this case sooner than later because father volino has Crone’s Disease. “This is affecting his health. He is in multiple counseling issues that he himself recognizes, but he wants to go on and all the people behind the priests and me and the people that have written and signed the petitions want him to continue on with his priestly duties.