Priest Convicted of Molesting Altar Boy
A priest described as having a pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior toward minors dating back 30 years was convicted in Flemington of molesting an altar boy.
Father John Banko, 56, became the first New Jersey priest to be charged criminally in a sex case since the Roman Catholic Church became embroiled in a national scandal this year.
After less than two days of deliberations, jurors convicted Banko of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and child endangerment in the abuse of the boy, now 20. He could get up to 35 years in prison.
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