NEW YORK (NY)
New York Post [New York, NY]
February 28, 2025
By Shane Galvin
Frock and frisk.
An NYPD chaplain has been busted in the Bronx for allegedly patronizing a prostitute, according to police.
Father Michael Eguino, a Catholic chaplain for the NYPD and parochial vicar of St. Anselm Church in the Bronx, was arrested at about 11:20 a.m. Friday, cops said.
Sources said the 40-year-old was caught offering a woman money for sex.
Eguino was charged with patronizing a prostitute and served a desk appearance ticket for his unholy alleged act.
The circumstances surrounding the sinful solicitation remain unclear.
Eguino was made an NYPD chaplain in August 2021, just seven years after being ordained a priest.
He also serves as a spiritual director for the NYPD Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island Holy Name Society.
“In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, traveling, strategy games, playing sports, and is a fan of the Yankees, Knicks, and Jets,” according to his bio in an NYPD chaplains brochure.
Eguino maintains that he is innocent of the charges and is ‘heartbroken’ by the allegations.
“Father Eguino, a beloved and highly respected NYPD Chaplain, is shocked and heartbroken by the false allegations,” his lawyer, Oliver Storch, said in a statement to The Post.
“Father Eguino is presumed innocent and requests the public to withhold judgment until the conclusion of the investigation and all facts have been addressed in the appropriate forum,” the statement concluded.
Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy when they are ordained. A priest can be defrocked for breaking that vow — or for being charged with a crime.
The Archdiocese of New York did not respond to a request for comment.
Father Eguino could not be reached for comment.