Adams County District Attorney Shawn Wagner announced Thursday that the PA State Police have arrested Father Ceasar A. Belchez.
Belchez
was arrested for allegedly embezzling approximately $384,000 from the
Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Bonneauville, Adams County.
The
thefts occurred between 2006 and 2011 while Belchez was the pastor of
the parish. Belchez, 52, currently lives in New Freedom.
Criminal
charges allege that Father Belchez embezzled almost $312,000 in money
and also used the parish’s credit cards to purchase goods and services
worth over $72,750. Those purchases were not approved by the parish.
The
total amount of money which Father Belchez allegedly took is almost
$385,000. This is the largest embezzlement case DA Wagner has ever
prosecuted.
Father Belchez has been charged with theft by
unlawful taking or disposition, theft by failure to make required
disposition of funds received and access device fraud, all third
degreefelonies.
Wagner advised that Father Belchez could face 21 years in prison.
Belchez
was arraigned Thursday and his bail was set at $50,000 unsecured, with
the requirement he forfeit his passport. His preliminary hearing is
scheduled for November 21 at Adams County Court.
DA Wagner thanked the Harrisburg Diocese and the PSP for their help and cooperation for concerning this theft.