Eight Arrested in Manatee County Church Check Theft Ring
Investigators say suspects intercepted mailed tithes from at least 17 congregations, stealing over $266,000 across the region.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday the arrest of eight individuals accused of intercepting and stealing checks mailed to local churches. The suspects allegedly used mobile banking applications to deposit the stolen funds into personal accounts, a method detectives said helped them avoid detection. Charges against the group include organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, uttering a forged instrument, and criminal use of personal identification.
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. The investigation began in December 2025 after a pastor at Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch reported a sudden drop in incoming mail. Members of the congregation approached staff to confirm whether their regular tithes had arrived, prompting the sheriff's office to open a formal inquiry.
In Manatee County, investigators confirmed 66 victims and 107 stolen checks, resulting in losses exceeding $72,000. Seven additional local victims and seven checks remain unconfirmed, representing approximately $1,800 in potential losses. The scheme extended beyond county lines, where authorities identified another 268 stolen checks and nearly $194,000 in losses. More than 20 suspects are linked to the regional network, which affected at least 17 religious communities.
Seven additional suspects face active arrest warrants, though authorities have not released their names. Deputies believe some of these individuals are currently in the Miami area, while at least one suspect is in Cuba. The specific names of the 16 other victim churches in the local case have not been disclosed. It is also unknown whether other financial institutions or banking accounts were used to move the stolen money.
The multi-agency effort continues with support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office advises residents to monitor personal checking accounts closely when sending donations by mail. Anyone who suspects they lost money to this scheme should contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office directly.
