Former priest wanted on abuse charges in Arizona arrested in Italy

[MineralMan]

So, this priest headed for Italy and hid out for 16 years after being charged for sexually abusing at least three boys under the age of 15 between 1979 and 1981. He was charged with the crimes in 2003, when he fled to Italy. Due to technicalities, he may or may not be extradited back to the United States. Justice delayed is justice denied, or so the saying goes.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/quick-reads/former-priest-wanted-abuse-charges-arizona-arrested-italy

Former priest wanted on abuse charges in Arizona arrested in Italy

Italian police arrested former U.S. Salvatorian Fr. Joseph J. Henn 16 years after Italy's highest court confirmed his extradition to the United States to face allegations of child sexual abuse in Arizona.

Michele Gentiloni, Henn's attorney, said his client was taken into custody May 28 after trying to use his expired U.S. passport as identification to pick up some medicine he needed. A spokesman for the Carabinieri, the Italian police force that apprehended Henn, disputed that version of events, claiming instead that the priest had requested assistance at a city-run immigrant assistance center using a false name.

Henn, who was expelled from his order and removed from the priesthood in 2006, currently is in Rome's Regina Coeli prison awaiting questioning, which must happen by June 3, his attorney told Catholic News Service May 31.

{snip}

In 2003, Arizona's Maricopa County indicted him on 13 counts related to child molestation.

[Raven123]

1. Regina Coeli prison? Had to look that up

For a moment I thought someone had a wry sense of humor. Apparently the prison originally was a Convent, and hence the name Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven).

[MineralMan]

2. Well, a convent is sort of a prison in some ways...

The rooms for nuns in convents are even called cells. Here's one in a modern convent:



I didn't even think to look it up. Thanks.