The community in and around the Bronx has been devastated by the recent arrest of Father Mike, a priest and NYPD chaplain. According to reports, the 40-year-old religious man is accused of patronizing a prostitute.
The allegations, according to Father Mike and his devoted followers, are completely fabricated. Father Michael Eguino was notified about his charges while he was at an office building, and he was taken into custody there. False reports have been circulating that the suspect was caught in the act in a Bronx motel and arrested there, but the authorities have confirmed that those allegations are fake news.
According to Michael Eguino’s lawyer, the priest’s charges are based on allegations coming from a woman who was counseled by Eguino in the past. The lawyer was adamant that the woman was not a sex worker but instead simply a troubled person who had reached out to the priest for help.
Eguino has also served the community as an NYPD chaplain since 2021.
Within a few days of the arrest, Eguino made the decision to voluntarily step away as the Pastor at The Church of St. Anselm. While he maintains his innocence, he has made this decision while the matter is investigated. He is expected to appear in Bronx Criminal Court in the coming weeks.
As you’d imagine, the community is in disbelief over the whole ordeal considering how involved the pastor was in the well being of the town.
Patronizing a Prostitute in New York
Under the law in New York, patronizing a prostitute happens when someone solicits or pays another person to engage in a sexual act. This type of crime can be levied against someone even if the physical act or financial transaction never fully manifests. Simply soliciting the act itself is considered a crime.
Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree is considered a misdemeanor in New York. The penalty for this crime is up to a year in jail. Patronizing a prostitute in the second degree is more serious because it involves patronizing a person who is less than 15 years old.
If the prostitute is determined to be between 11 and 14 years old, then the charges are upgraded to a felony. Felonies come with life-long consequences, including losing the right to vote, carry a firearm, or hold public office.
Patronizing a person for prostitution in the first degree is the most serious form of this crime. It happens when the person being patronized is less than 11 years old, and it’s considered a class D felony.
If you’ve recently faced these charges or similar sex crime allegations, then it’s important to get in touch with an attorney about your rights. Getting convicted of a sex crime has significant consequences on your life. Not only could you face jail time or potential felony-related consequences, but you’ll also have to register as a sex offender once you’re released from jail. The sex offender registry is public, so your name, charges, address, and more will become public record forever.
To get in touch with an attorney about your recent charges, schedule a case review on our online form now.
