VIRGINIA, USA — A 65-year-old former priest of a Purcellville church was convicted Monday for sexually abusing a minor during the summer of 1985 when the former priest was 29 years old.
According to a release from the Office of Attorney General Jason Miyares, Scott Asalone was previously the priest at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.
Asalone was arrested in New Jersey on March 14, 2020, and he was extradited to Virginia where he was indicted by a multi-jurisdiction grand jury for felony carnal knowledge of a minor between 13 and 15 years of age. The abuse happened during the summer of 1985 when Asalone was 29 and the victim was a minor.
“Every victim deserves to be heard. My office is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those who prey on children to the fullest extent of the law. Virginia has no tolerance for child molesters. I encourage anyone who has been a victim of clergy abuse to contact the Virginia State Police, as it’s never too late to fight for justice,” said Attorney General Miyares.
Asalone, who pleaded guilty in this case, was reportedly removed from public duties in 1993 and dismissed from the Order of Capuchin Friars in 2007.
He will be sentenced by a Loudoun County Circuit Court on April 13, 2023. He faces a total maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.