A Catholic priest aboard a US Airways cross-country flight was found guilty of abusive sexual contact for putting his hands on the ‘breast, groin and buttocks’ of a sleeping woman last August. The female passenger awoke to find Father Marcelo De Jesumaria groping her and reported what had happened to the crew of the flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.
De Jesumaria was taken into custody when the flight landed and then indicted in October once enough evidence had been collected by authorities.
The shamed priest was found guilty on Friday after a three-day trial and will face up to two years in prison when his August 24 sentencing comes around, according to NBC Los Angeles.
His old employer, the Diocese of San Bernardino, removed him from his role in November.
‘The Diocese of San Bernardino considers the actions alleged of Father De Jesumaria in the federal indictment to be sinful and unlawful,’ according to a statement.
‘We removed him from ministry in the diocese immediately after we became aware of this allegation in November and we are deeply regretful of any harm that may have occurred as a result of his actions.
‘He belongs to a Chicago-based religious order, the Congregation of the Resurrection, that will determine the future of his priesthood.’
The majority of sexual assaults go unreported, but the FBI encourages all victims to come forward.
De Jesumaria is based in Arrowhead, California.
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