Local wedding caterer charged with theft

Williamsport, Pa. — A local caterer allegedly took payment of more than $3000 to cater a wedding but never followed through with food.

William Dalton Welch, 47, claimed he was unable to cater the event in 2023 on the day the couple was to be married, according to the complaint. Welch owns B&C Catering in Williamsport.

The victim paid Welch $3,842—$33 per plate—to cater a wedding with 110 guests, Officer Nathaniel Kendall said. Welch called the day of the wedding allegedly telling the accuser he could no long cater the wedding.

The victim signed a contract with Welch’s business. She then put a down payment of $420 down. Two weeks prior to the wedding, Welch was paid the remaining $3,422 through PayPal, according to Kendall.

Welch allegedly refused to return the money.

The Williamsport business owner is being charged with theft by deception and deceptive business practices. Both are third-degree felonies. Welch is free on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing with Christian Frey is scheduled for September.

Welch was also charged for writing bad checks in 2023. He failed to show for his preliminary hearing in that case.

Docket sheet