Fr. Luis Fernando Franco Henao of West Springfield, Va., Charged with Sexual Battery of Adult Male in February, 2012

The Wusa
December 19, 2012

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/234410/158/Catholic-Priest-Arrested-For-Sexual-Assault


WEST SPRINGFIELD, Va. (WUSA) - A  Catholic priest is charged with the February 2, 2012 sexual battery of an adult male, according to police.

The victim reported the incident on Nov. 30. He said that he was sexually assaulted at Saint Bernadette Parish at 7600 Old Keene Mill Road. At the time the victim was seeking support and guidance from the suspect when the suspect allegedly touched him inappropriately.

Franco Henao turned himself over to police detectives on Dec. 19 when he was processed and released.

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington released a statement:

This afternoon, Rev. Luis Fernando Franco Henao, a priest of the Diocese of Málaga-Soatá in Colombia, presented himself for arrest to the Fairfax County Police Department and was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery of an adult male. The incident in question is alleged to have occurred at Saint Bernadette Church in Springfield in February of this year. Upon learning of the charge, the Diocese of Arlington withdrew Rev. Franco's faculties in the diocese and removed him from ministry.


The Diocese of Arlington is committed to full cooperation with law enforcement regarding this allegation, and we encourage anyone with knowledge of this case to contact the Fairfax County Police Department.