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	State Inmate Gets Probation in Extortion Case By Sandra K. Reabuck Tribune-Democrat February 26, 2008 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_057233008.html EBENSBURG — A state inmate pleaded guilty Monday to extorting hush money from a chaplain who reportedly had sex with him at the State Correctional Institution-Cresson. William Victor, 37, who is now at SCI-Huntingdon, was sentenced immediately by Judge Gerard Long to two years' probation, to be served after Victor is released from state prison. Victor is serving 423/4 to 861/2 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint and trying to rob her and her husband at a Pocono Mountain resort. He was accused of extorting $7,600 in "hush" money from the Rev. Gerard M. Connolly, a Franciscan priest who was a prison chaplain through a contract the state had with his order. Under a plea bargain, the theft by extort charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor because the amount of money involved ended up lower than originally charged, said Heath Long, first assistant district attorney. Connolly, 66, of Altoona, is facing trial in county court on 12 counts of institutional sex assault and five counts of taking contraband – alcohol for Victor – into the Cresson prison. He was prison chaplain for about a year before his services were terminated in 2007. Earlier in his career, he was pastor of churches in Windber and Northern Cambria boroughs. State police said the sexual contact began six months after Connolly became the chaplain. Victor told police that the incidents took place during counseling sessions in the prison chapel. Reportedly, the abuse came to light after prison officials questioned Victor about a money order sent to his account. State police claim the priest sent money orders to Victor and to the prisoner's friends and relatives to keep the illicit encounters secret.
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