Pennsylvania Priest to Remain behind Bars As He Awaits Sex Tourism Trial

By Joe Mandak
NBC 10
September 29, 2014

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Pennsylvania-Priest-Faces-Detention-in-Sex-Case-277425711.html

A federal magistrate has ordered a Roman Catholic priest from Pennsylvania to remain jailed until his trial on sex tourism charges.

The Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. was arrested last week on allegations that he traveled to Honduras to have sex with children while he did missionary work with the poor. He was placed on leave from the Altoona-Johnstown diocese earlier this month.

Pa. Priest Had Sex With Kids Abroad: Authorities

At a hearing Monday in Johnstown, prosecutors called Maurizio a danger to the community and a flight risk. But a relative and two family friends cited his religious work and said they have seen him around children and had no concerns about his conduct.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Pesto said they had painted what he called a "Father Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" portrait that made his decision especially difficult.