Priest gets probation in Kossuth County theft case

ALGONA — A Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to probation and ordered to pay fines and restitution after pleading guilty in a case in which he was charged with stealing about $70,000 from two Kossuth County churches.

The Rev. Steven McLoud, of Fort Dodge, pleaded guilty to third degree fraudulent practice, according to court records.

On Monday, Kossuth County District Court Judge Adam M. Miller sentenced him to two years of probation. The judge also ordered him to pay an $855 fine, $5,000 in restitution to Divine Mercy Parish and $100 in court costs.

McLoud was accused of taking $69,779.82 from the parish. The $5,000 he was ordered to pay is equal to the deductible that the parish’s insurance company did not pay.

Kossuth County sheriff’s deputies filed charges of first degree theft and first degree fraudulent practice against him in August 2024.

In the criminal complaints filed against him, deputies wrote that between August 2017 and January 2023, McLoud “knowingly falsified receipts of utility bills, reimbursement of mileage expenses and other expense documents.”

Deputies reported that the money was stolen from Divine Mercy Parish — St. Cecelia in Algona and Divine Mercy Parish — St. John the Baptist in Bancroft.

Police Log

FORT DODGE

Wednesday

A vehicle accident was reported at 29th Street and 20th Avenue North.

A civil dispute was reported in the 1300 block of Eighth Avenue South.

A welfare check was conducted in the 900 block of Third Avenue South.

A fight was reported in the 200 block of Avenue M West.

A theft was reported in the 2800 block of Third Avenue South.

An animal complaint was reported at Eighth Avenue South and 17th Street.

A parking complaint was reported in the 1000 block of First Avenue South.

Harassment was reported in the 700 block of First Avenue South.

A burglary was reported in the 500 block of Fourth Avenue South.

A welfare check was conducted in the 1600 block of Third Avenue South.

A welfare check was conducted in the 200 block of North 15th Street.

Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2800 block of Fifth Avenue South.

A shoplifter was reported in the 3000 block of First Avenue South.

An animal complaint was reported in the 1600 block of 10th Avenue North.

A welfare check was conducted at Second Avenue South and Third Street.

A burglary was reported in the 2600 block of Fourth Avenue North.

An assault was reported in the 300 block of South Eighth Street.

A fight was reported at 15th Street and Fourth Avenue North.

Thursday

An assault was reported in the 10 block of North 10th Street.

Disorderly conduct was reported in the 10 block of North 10th Street.

A vehicle accident was reported in the 400 block of South 15th Street.

A traffic hazard was reported in the 300 block of South Ninth Street.

A robbery was reported in the 200 block of North 26th Street.

A welfare check was conducted at Martin Luther King Drive and Second Avenue North.

A suspicious person was reported in the 1600 block of Triton Drive.

A disabled vehicle was reported in the 1300 block of Fifth Avenue South.

An animal complaint was reported in the 1600 block of 13th Avenue North.

An assault was reported in the 1200 block of First Avenue North.

A theft was reported in the 1200 block of First Avenue North.

A welfare check was conducted at Second Avenue South and Third Street.

A fight was reported in the 2800 block of 16th Avenue North.

An assault was reported in the 1200 block of North 24th Street.

A fight was reported in the 300 block of First Street Northwest.

A traffic hazard was reported at Kenyon Road and U.S. Highway 169.

Magistrate Court

WEBSTER COUNTY

Friday

Harassment — Amanda M. Hulsebus, 40, 23804 235th Ave., preliminary hearing set for Dec. 31, no contact order issued.

Driving while license suspended –Teyana T. Kalupcic, 22, Waterloo, $250 plus surcharge, court costs.

Fifth degree theft — Dillon J. Rockhold, 19, Humboldt, four days in jail (suspended), court costs, no contact order issued.

Simulated public intoxication, first offense — Benjamin L. Foster, 44, 311 First Ave. S., continued 180 days.

Interference with official acts — Benjamin L. Foster, 44, 311 First Ave. S., continued 180 days.