Seven federal counts allege that James Joseph Owens, 68, abused his position of trust at the Norbertine Community of New Mexico and Santa María de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque by diverting funds for personal gain. Prosecutors say the indictment details a pattern of transfers from foundation support, seminary and education funds, and retirement accounts into accounts controlled by Owens, including one tied to a nonprofit law practice he established.
From May 2022 to March 2023, Owens allegedly transferred more than $2 million in church funds to accounts under his control, including for personal investments and the purchase of a home in Placitas, a suburb north of Albuquerque. Federal court records indicate he moved funds through domestic and international wire transfers, brokerage accounts, and cryptocurrency transactions, allegedly to conceal their origin.
Prosecutors also allege Owens concealed the misuse of funds from the Internal Revenue Service by filing a false 2022 tax return that significantly understated his income. Authorities say that by reporting taxable income of just $24,000 while concealing the proceeds of his alleged misappropriation, he sought to evade federal tax obligations.
Key details at a glance
- Defendant: James Joseph Owens, 68, former treasurer for the Norbertine Community of New Mexico and Santa María de la Vid Abbey.
- Allegations: More than $2 million in funds diverted from church accounts to personal or controlled accounts.
- Additional charges: False tax return, wire fraud, and monetary transaction offenses.
- Penalties: If convicted, Owens could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division publicly announced the indictment, an action that underscores federal law enforcement’s focus on financial integrity in nonprofit and religious institutions.
The alleged misuse of Abbey funds involved repeated transfers over nearly a year, according to court filings. By moving money into accounts he controlled and engaging in financial transactions that may have obscured the funds’ origin, Owens is accused of concealing the alleged scheme from both the church and federal authorities.
The indictment also charges Owens with multiple violations of the money laundering statutes for using funds derived from unlawful activity. These counts highlight the broad scope of alleged efforts to obscure the financial trail used to move the church funds.
Authorities say that if convicted, Owens would be subject not only to imprisonment but also the forfeiture of assets obtained through the scheme and other penalties under federal law.
Legal experts note that cases involving alleged financial misconduct within nonprofit organizations, including churches, often involve complex investigations that require cooperation among agencies such as the IRS and the Department of Justice. They say charges ranging from fraud to tax evasion reflect how federal statutes are applied when individuals in positions of trust are accused of misusing funds.
The indictment marks a significant development in Albuquerque’s legal landscape as local communities and church members await further proceedings. Court documents from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico have set the stage for pretrial motions and hearings that could shape the next phase of the case.