San Diego, CA
California bishop who allegedly made several trips to Mexican brothel arrested at San Diego airport trying to flee US
A high-ranking California Catholic bishop who allegedly took more than a dozen trips to a Mexican brothel known for human trafficking and misused parish funds was arrested at San Diego International Airport while trying to flee the country.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 60, a senior figure in the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, was arrested Thursday by San Diego Sheriff’s deputies following a months-long investigation.
“On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta was contacted and detained at the San Diego International Airport attempting to leave the country,” the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Shaleta faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, officials said.
The arrest comes after Catholic news outlet The Pillar reported last month that the bishop allegedly diverted rental payments from church property for personal use and later covered his tracks with charity funds.
Over $427,000 is unaccounted for — but the true number could be as high as $1 million, the outlet reported.
The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it was contacted by someone from St. Peter Chaldean Church in August 2025.
“The church representative provided a statement and documents showing potential embezzlement from the church,” it said, without elaborating.
The Pillar also obtained documents from a Vatican-ordered investigation into Shaleta that alleged the bishop regularly crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, to visit a strip club.
A private investigator documented Shaleta using a shuttle “exclusive to the club’s patrons” to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, the outlet reported.
The Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club operates in Tijuana’s Zona Norte red-light district, an area that has long been scrutinized by law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations.
Prior reporting has identified the club by name in broader examinations of sex-industry operations in Tijuana.
There is no allegation that Shaleta was involved in trafficking activity.
Shaleta submitted his resignation to the Vatican in January as a result of the Vatican-ordered investigation.
Meanwhile, the priests of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle issued a statement expressing support for Shaleta.
“After hearing all of the critics and attacks against our eparchy and bishop, we ask the Lord to protect our eparchy and bishop from all of the negative attacks. We are in solidarity with our eparchy and bishop,” the statement reads.
“We are awaiting the decision on this matter. Please continue to keep this eparchy in your prayers and remain faithful to the salvific mission of Christ.”
The 60-year-old was booked into San Diego Central Jail and is being held on $125,000 bail.
Some people living in remote North County may have felt shaking from an earthquake on Monday afternoon.
The epicenter of the 3.1 temblor that hit at 3:51 p.m. was a little under 2 miles from Lake Henshaw, according to officials with the United States Geological Survey.
Lake Henshaw is about 25 miles east of Valley Center and near Highway 76, which is often traveled by people headed north to Palomar Mountain.
Representatives of Cal Fire and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said the agencies had received no reports of any problems caused by the temblor.
San Diego, CA
Deputy ID’d Who Died In Baker Run | Jeep Launches Off Bridge | Protest Turns Violent: SoCal In Brief
SAN DIEGO, CA — As we head into the new work week, we’ve rounded up the stories you may have missed Saturday through Monday to prepare you for the week ahead.
But before we jump into Southern California’s top stories, residents should expect the Southland’s long period of record-breaking heat to ease this week with more seasonal weather for early spring, according to the National Weather Service.
“A cooling trend will begin on Monday, with near normal temperatures expected Tuesday through Thursday,” NWS Los Angeles forecasters wrote Sunday.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Gusty onshore winds will affect the area at times, along with chances of light rain. Weak to moderate offshore winds with warming and drying will follow Friday and Saturday.”
In other news, a deputy died after suffering a medical emergency while participating in the Baker to Vegas relay race; a man died of an apparent drowning near a pier; two people were killed when a speeding Jeep launched off a bridge and landed in a river; and one person was killed when a three-vehicle crash sent one car careening into a cemetery.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Plus, large crowds participated in No Kings rallies across Southern California as part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against the Trump administration that organizers called the largest single-day pro-democracy turnout on record.
A record 94,000 people participated in 21 separate No Kings protests in San Diego County. Thousands of similar gatherings took place Saturday throughout country. In Los Angeles, police said 74 people were arrested for allegedly failing to disperse after the demonstration in downtown LA turned violent, with some protesters throwing chunks of concrete at federal officers and one spray-painting a death threat near the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Here are some of the stories you may have missed:
1 Killed In Crash On 215 Freeway In Riverside Involving Babies
A witness told the CHP that the sedan was demolished and a witness said two babies and two adults were inside.
1 Killed In Fiery, 2-Vehicle Crash On 91 Freeway In Orange County
It involved a white “work truck” and another vehicle, with at least one of the vehicles catching fire, the CHP said.
1 Person Injured At Switzer Falls, Airlifted To Hospital
Falling rocks may have been involved, according to reports.
“If you do spot one of these animals, keep your distance. There’s absolutely no reason to approach one whatsoever.”
2 Found Dead In Home After Fire In San Diego’s North County: Authorities
The bomb and arson unit and the homicide unit for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
4 Boats Carrying Migrants Detained Off San Diego Shore
Twenty-nine migrants suspected of attempting to enter the country illegally were detained off San Diego in four incidents, officials said.
The arrests included 66 adults and eight juveniles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Iconic Actor Known For ‘Back To The Future,’ ‘Top Gun’ Dies At 94
He also spent 25 years in the New York theater scene and was part of the original cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
LA Deputy, 30, Dies After Medical Emergency During Baker To Vegas Relay
“His loss is deeply felt across our Department, and he will be greatly missed.”
Large Crowds Gather Throughout Riverside County For ‘No Kings’ Protests
The demonstrations were part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against illegal immigration enforcement and other federal policies.
Long Beach Police Arrest Teen, Tow 5 E-Bikes After Street Takeover
The teen was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving-related charges.
Man Fatally Struck By SUV After Running Into Lanes Of Traffic In Long Beach
Paramedics rushed the man to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Man Killed In Santa Monica Fight
Officers rendered aid to the wounded man until paramedics arrived to take him to a hospital, where he died, officials said.
Missing Swimmer Found Dead Near Oceanside Harbor Beach
A man died of an apparent drowning near the Oceanside Pier, authorities said.
A record 94,000 people participated in 21 separate “No Kings” protests in San Diego County on Saturday, organizers said.
9 Sickened In E. Coli Outbreak Tied To A California Company’s Raw Milk And Cheese
Two cases in California were added Thursday to the outbreak first announced March 15, bringing the total number of ill people in California.
185 New Speed Cameras Coming To CA Roads: See Where
Speed cameras have already caught hundreds of thousands of speeding drivers in the first two cities to install them.
CA Could Soon Start ‘Certifying’ Certain Groceries In Its War On Junk Food
California wants to be the first state in the nation to give a seal of approval for healthy foods and require grocers to promote them.
CA’s Most Spectacular Super Bloom In Years Is Underway: How To See It Before It Wilts
The super bloom in California may have peaked in the southern part of the state, but spring flowers are still blooming in stunning fashion.
CA Women Earn 63 Cents For Every Dollar Earned By White Men, Study Finds
Women’s earnings still lag far behind those of white men, with no significant improvement in that gap in 14 years.
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Two families were displaced from their Carmel Valley townhome after it went up in flames earlier this afternoon.
This happened just before 3 p.m. on Moratalla Terrace. Fire investigators said the fire started inside a garage unit because of faulty electrical equipment and robotics projects. One neighbor said she’s thankful for the quick response.
“The people that own the house were in the driveway calling 911, and within, I think within five minutes of me smelling the smoke the fire trucks were here,” said Nikki Briggs. I’m just thankful that everyone was okay, and that it didn’t keep spreading. Like if it would have been a wildfire, that would have been terrible.”
Firefighters say most of the damage was contained in the garage. A total of nine people were displaced by the fire. Five people lived inside the unit that burned. Thankfully all of them made it out safely without any injuries.
AISD to Close Blackshear Elementary Amid Budget Challenges
Which Players are Standing Out this Spring on Alabama’s Defensive Front
Alaska bike journey rolls along
Vote. Republic’s 2025-26 All-Arizona boys HS wrestling team, coach
Gov. Sanders to make announcement & recognize grant recipients
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Latino Republicans in South Texas Turn on Trump Over Birthright Citizenship
Fugitive illegal alien convict on the run after attempting to strike ICE officer with vehicle: DHS
EU to urge Israel to scrap death penalty bill as ‘grave regression’
Army reviewing after helicopters hovered alongside Kid Rock’s swimming pool as he saluted
Emanuel pushes back on ‘straight White man’ question, says ideas matter most in 2028
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