A former Rapid City priest who
pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of dollars of church donations has
left a treatment program and the diocese, going against instructions
from the bishop, according to the diocese's December newsletter.
Marcin
Garbacz was suspended from his ministry duties in May after church
officials caught him stealing and sent to a six-month treatment program
in St. Louis.
In July, he was
charged with first-degree embezzlement of property received in trust and
first-degree petty theft in the alternative, which means he could only
be convicted on one of the counts. Garbacz pleaded guilty to the theft
charge on Oct. 26.
He
received a suspended imposition of sentence — which means his record
will be sealed from the public, but not the courts or police — from
Judge Bernard Schuchmann on Oct 31. Garbacz paid $334 in fines and
costs, and $620 in restitution to the church, a clerk said.
While Garbacz appears to have complied with the court system, the diocese says he's not following church orders.
Against orders, priest leaves diocese, treatment program after pleading guilty to theft | Crime & Courts | rapidcityjournal.com
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