PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review
By Richard Gazarik
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014,
For a decade, a Western Pennsylvania priest traveled to orphanages in Central and South America under the guise of doing relief work.
But on Thursday, federal officials arrested the priest, the Rev. Joseph D. Maurizio, 69, alleging that he promised candy and cash to orphaned boys to watch them shower, have sex or fondle them, court records show.
Maurizio was picked up at his Windber home by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on charges he sexually exploited boys at the orphanage in El Progreso, Honduras.
He had served as pastor at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Central City, Somerset County, until he was suspended this month by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
Diocese spokesman Tony DeGol said he was unaware of the arrest and would not comment.
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