Former Loudoun Priest Pleads Guilty In Sexual Abuse Case

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A former priest who worked in Purcellville was convicted of the sexual assault of a child, according to the Office of the Attorney General. The alleged abuse occurred in the summer of 1985.

Authorities said the former priest, Scott Asalone, worked at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville. The victim was between 13 and 15 years old when the sexual abuse occurred.

Asalone pleaded guilty to one count of felony carnal knowledge of a minor. His sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2023. Asalone could face up to ten years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Asalone entered an "Alford" guilty plea, which means he asserted his innocence while acknowledging that the evidence presented would be likely to convince a jury of his guilt.

"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," Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a news release. "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."

Asalone’s victim in the case was former D.C. councilman David Grosso, who was in court and planned to testify. After Asalone’s arrest in 2020, Grosso publicly identified the former priest as his abuser, The Washington Post reported.

Grosso was 14, and Asalone was 29, when the abuse occurred in 1985.

“It felt good for me to be there,” Grosso told the Post, “to see the judge walk him through the charge, and find that he really is guilty of assaulting me … He realized the case was too strong against him.”

Asalone most recently lived in Asbury Park, New Jersey. A grand jury indicted him in March 2020 after an investigation by the attorney general's office and Virginia State Police. Authorities arrested Asalone in March 2020, and he was extradited to Virginia.

Authorities said Asalone was removed from public duties with the church in 1993. He was dismissed from the Order of Capuchin Friars in 2007.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.