According to court documents filed through Magisterial District Judge David Plachko’s office, Gisela Gutierrez De Ovalles, 28, of West Hazleton has been charged with Forgery – Alter Writing (Misdemeanor 1) and Theft by Unlawful Taking – Movable Property (Misdemeanor 2).
The charges stem from an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Frackville Barracks Criminal Investigation Unit.
On October 4, 2024, the victim from Schuylkill County reported to PSP Frackville that a $100 donation check she wrote to “Fundacion Mujeres Abigail” was never received. The victim said she mailed the check on June 10, 2024, from the Mary D Post Office in Schuylkill Township.
A week later, the victim learned from the Pastor of the church that the nonprofit never received the donation. The victim then checked her bank account and discovered the check had been cashed on June 12, 2024, through a mobile deposit by Gutierrez De Ovalles — who was not affiliated with the foundation.
Investigators obtained banking records from Community Bank, which showed the check was deposited into an account solely belonging to Gutierrez De Ovalles at an address on Harleigh Boulevard in Hazleton. The check cleared her account the following day, June 13, 2024.
The Pastor confirmed to police that the foundation no longer operated out of the Harleigh Boulevard address, which she had vacated in 2021. She stated that the defendant had no connection to the organization and believed Gutierrez De Ovalles received the mailed donation at the outdated address and deposited it illegally.
Based on the findings, Trooper Tymchyshyn requested charges be filed, and Gutierrez De Ovalles was summoned to answer to the allegations in Judge Plachko’s office.