A 40-year-old, off-duty, NYPD chaplain has been arrested in The Bronx for allegedly “patronizing prostitution” police said.

 

An NYPD spokesperson said that on Friday, Feb. 28, at 11.23 a.m. an off-duty NYPD employee, Fr. Michael Eguino, was arrested and charged within the confines of the 49th Precinct, which covers the Bronx neighborhoods of Allerton, Morris Park, Van Nest, Pelham Parkway, Eastchester Gardens, and Pelham Gardens.

 

Eguino was charged with allegedly either paying for sex or making an offer to pay for sex. The Bronx District Attorney’s office explained that the crime of “Patronizing a Person for Prostitution” is completed when a person offers to pay someone money in exchange for sex, so in a way, it includes attempts.

 

Norwood News reached out to the NYPD for more information on the age of the person who was allegedly paid for sex or offered money for sex, as well as Eguino’s employment location. A department spokesperson responded on Saturday, March 1, saying the person from whom sex was [allegedly] solicited was 20 years old, and added that chaplains are not assigned to any specific precinct.

 

We also reached out to the Bronx District Attorney’s office for additional information on the circumstances of the arrest, and to the Archdiocese of New York for comment. The Archdiocese of New York shared a statement on March 1 which representatives said had been shared with parishioners of St. Anselm Parish in the South Bronx, where Eguino is the local pastor.

 

It read, “As you may have heard in the media, an allegation of inappropriate behavior with an adult woman has been made against your pastor, Father Michael Eguino. While it is painful for all to hear this, our people have expressed that they appreciate hearing from us directly.

 

It continued, “Father Eguino denies the allegations and maintains the presumption of his innocence. However, for the good of the parish, Father Eguino has voluntarily stepped away from the parish while the matter is investigated.”

 

It concluded, “As always, the Archdiocese of New York will cooperate with the investigation by the appropriate authorities. During this time, we remain united in prayer for all those involved, especially the parish family of St. Anselm.”

 

An official from the Bronx District Attorneys’ Office said on Monday, March 3, that it appears that Eguino received a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), and is checking on when Eguino is due to return before a judge. He said his understanding was that it was not a “live arrest.” A live arrest is when a person is physically taken into custody by law enforcement and this can be done with or without the use of force. The DA’s office confirmed Eguino was charged with “patronizing prostitution.”

 

We are also attempting to contact the pastor for comment and will share any updates we receive.

 

Eguino was appointed an NYPD chaplain in August 2021, according to an NYPD Chaplains Unit brochure. He was ordained a Catholic priest in July of 2015 and serves as the parochial vicar of St. Anselm Church. He also serves as one of the spiritual directors for the NYPD Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island Holy Name Society.

 

According to the same brochure, in his spare time, Eguino enjoys fishing, traveling, strategy games, playing sports, and is a fan of the Yankees, Knicks, and Jets. He is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

On Saturday, March 1, a female spiritual advisor to the NYPD Policewomen’s Endowment Association who declined to be identified, told Norwood News, “If you’re an NYPD chaplain or an NYPD minister, I would know them. I would know them because I would see them on a regular basis. Sometimes people say they have a title, but they’re not active. When I saw his name, it didn’t ring a bell because there’s very few people who can say they are NYPD chaplains. (It’s) not a lot of people; they’re very careful about who they choose.”

 

She continued, “It seems that I have eight mutual friends with this guy, let’s see. It says he’s a chaplain. Well, I see a picture here and he does have a uniform on so maybe. I don’t know if this is him. I’ve never seen him. I’m trying to find out who he is to tell you the truth.”

 

She later said in part, “Any chaplain I meet when I go to an event, I see them and I know who they are. So, this looks like he’s from the diocese because he’s wearing a collar. I’m just kind of curious. If you say that you’re an NYPD chaplain, then you have to be in full uniform, but I haven’t seen this man at any events. I know all the clergy that go to the funerals for the police department, because I see them.”

 

She later added, “They also mentioned to me that nothing is going to happen to him. There was another father [priest] from MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) that got into some type of issue, whatever, and they just did a slap on the hand, and they didn’t do anything.” Norwood News has reached out to both the MTA and the NYPD for comment on this latest allegation, and will share any updates we receive.

 

Recognizing a need to attend to the emotional and spiritual needs of its members, according to the NYPD, the department formed the Chaplains Unit in 1906. “Since that time, we have been successfully helping countless members of the service and their families during difficult or stressful times,” an extract from the NYPD Chaplains Unit brochure read.

 

“The Chaplains Unit provides confidential counseling, spiritual assistance, and moral guidance. In addition, chaplains are available for various religious services upon request,” the extract continued. “Our department chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and respond directly to serious incidents involving members of the service.”

 

It concluded, “Department chaplains also provide pastoral care by visiting members of the service who are injured or sick. Our chaplains provide needed support and outreach by visiting police facilities to promote officer well-being. This gives the chaplains an opportunity to interact with members at their commands.”