ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Federal prosecutors say a former church treasurer in Albuquerque has been indicted on charges accusing him of stealing more than $2 million from the Norbertine of New Mexico and Santa María de la Vid Abbey.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 68‑year‑old James Joseph Owens faces multiple charges, including wire fraud, tax evasion, and more than 20 counts connected to unlawful financial transactions. Prosecutors allege that between May 2022 and March 2023, Owens transferred abbey funds into accounts he controlled — including a nonprofit law practice, various investment accounts, and purchases that reportedly included a home in Placitas.
Investigators say Owens also failed to report the income on his 2022 federal tax return…