Former youth pastor arrested

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First Posted: June 12, 2012 - 12:53 pm
Last Updated: June 12, 2012 - 1:05 pm

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COLUMBUS, Ind. — A former church youth leader is accused of stealing about $30,000 from the church's youth account to pay his personal debt.

Rick R. Elliot, 53, of Hope was arrested Tuesday on two counts of forgery, both Class C felonies, and two counts of theft, both Class D felonies.

Elliott was youth leader at Hope Baptist Church from fall of 2008 through February 2011.

An Indiana State Police investigation by Detective Roger Drew, with assistance by Detective Jan Graves and Master Trooper David McKalip, revealed Elliott allegedly stole $30,000 during that time.

The investigation began in January when the state police received a report of misappropriations and missing funds in the church's youth account. Drew made arrangements with Elliott to turn himself in Tuesday at Bartholomew County Jail in Columbus, where Drew read the charges on the warrant to him.

Elliott was being held at the jail Tuesday on $40,000 bond.