Loudoun Sheriff’s Office Ends Investigation of Purcellville Priest
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office today announced that it had completed its investigation into allegations of misconduct by a Purcellville priest and that no criminal charges would be filed.
The Diocese of Arlington announced Dec. 7 that it had placed Father Ronald S. Escalante, the pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville, on administrative leave pending an investigation of alleged abuses involving a minor and adults. The diocese contacted the Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 21 to inform the agency of the allegations.
Escalante has served in the diocese in a variety of locations since 1994. He was named parochial administrator at Saint Francis de Sales in 2009 and has been pastor there since 2012.