Father Michael Eguino, a Bronx Catholic priest and NYPD chaplain, was arrested and charged with patronizing a prostitute on Friday. Law enforcement sources told News 12 Eguino was off duty when officers arrested him around 11:20 a.m. outside of a motel in Pelham Gardens, which is located about 20 minutes from his Bronx Roman Catholic church. Eguino’s attorney Oliver Storch, however, released a statement saying he was arrested in the lobby of Storch’s Lower Manhattan office. Storch wrote the priest was not soliciting a prostitute, and the arrest is based on a “prior allegation of a woman who is not a prostitute but a troubled individual who Father Eguino had counseled in the past.” According to the NYPD chaplains unit, Eguino was ordained in 2015 and appointed as a police chaplain in 2021. Officials said the faith leader serves as a spiritual director for the NYPD Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island Holy Name Society. Eguino also serves as pastor of St. Anselm-St. Roch Parish on Tinton Avenue in Melrose, according to the church’s website. Parishioners who attended Saturday evening’s Mass said there was no announcement about their pastor. “I’m in shock right now,” said one woman, who declined to give her name. “He’s such a nice person,” said Leoncio Gutierrez. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe this happened. Such a nice person.” The Archdiocese of New York released the following statement on Saturday: “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. 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. 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.”