A Florida man apparently reversed the concept of “giving to the church,” admitting in court to stealing checks from church mailboxes in Missouri and Illinois.
Lourdes Mario Anton, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of mail theft on Tuesday. It seems Anton and a juvenile accomplice were caught on camera engaging in some unholy behavior, swiping mail from a Missouri church’s mailbox on October 3rd, 2024.
READ: St. Petersburg Postal Worker Admits to Stealing Mail, Including Credit Cards, Social Security Card
Their divine intervention came in the form of a police stop the next day. Anton, perhaps feeling a touch of guilt, allowed officers to search his vehicle, a white Toyota minivan. Inside, they found a tool used for stealing mail and a receipt for a FedEx package addressed to Anton in Hollywood, Florida.
Investigators, with a little help from above, intercepted the package. Lo and behold, it contained 27 checks totaling over $14,000, all belonging to religious organizations in Missouri and Illinois.
READ: Florida Man Fuels Georgia’s Opioid Crisis: Gets 15 Years For Distributing Deadly Fentanyl
Anton is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21st, 2025. He faces a potential penalty of up to 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Perhaps he’ll find time for some spiritual reflection during his sentence.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.