Story highlights Erwin Mena is accused of swindled people out of $53,000 since October 2014, a prosecutor says

He allegedly posed as a priest at Catholic parishes, claimed to sell tickets to see Pope Francis

Mena faces 30 counts -- including 19 for grand theft and 1 each for perjury, forgery, illegally practicing medicine

(CNN) The people of Southern California called him "Padre."

For years, Erwin Mena officiated Mass, took confessions, celebrated a wedding and performed other rites of the Catholic Church.

One problem: He's never been a Catholic priest. The way police describe him, con man might be a better title.

Now he's behind bars in Los Angeles, after a felony warrant was issued for his arrest.

That document laid out 30 counts against Mena, including 19 counts of grand theft of property worth more than $950 and eight instances of alleged petty theft.

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