Church tithe thefts cost $266,000

Parishioners in Manatee County who mailed monthly tithe checks between September 2025 and May 2026 may find their money was deposited into strangers' accounts instead of their church's. Authorities say eight people have been arrested for intercepting these payments and depositing them into personal bank accounts.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit launched an investigation in December 2025 after a pastor at Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch reported a sharp drop in mail. Parishioners began questioning whether their contributions had arrived. Detectives found the checks were stolen and deposited unaltered into the suspects' accounts, often via mobile banking apps.

Sheriff's Office officials stated that more than 20 suspects targeted at least 17 local churches during the eight-month period. The eight arrested are Yucmercy Espinosa Obregon, Luis Miguel Sanchez Santos, Lisaida Castro Gonzalez, Ismery Ferrer Alonso, Luis Enrique Valdes Camejo, Dayanis Leon Hernandez, Duvier Hernandez Canizarez, and Isidro Gonzalez Gomez. They face charges including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and criminal use of personal identification.

Detectives confirmed 66 victims in Manatee County and identified 107 stolen checks. Local losses total more than $72,000. Another seven local victims and seven checks remain unconfirmed, representing an additional $1,800 in potential losses.

The fraud extended beyond the county line. Investigators identified 268 stolen checks involving victims outside Manatee County. Confirmed losses in that group total nearly $194,000. The total confirmed financial impact across all victims is approximately $266,000.

The investigation is a joint effort with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Active arrest warrants exist for seven additional suspects. Some are believed to be in the Miami area, and at least one has been confirmed to be in Cuba.