Alabama Pastor And His Wife Arrested, Facing Multiple Charges From Fire At Their Church

[staysblazed_xo]

"Ricky Van Mitchell, 50, and his wife, 46-year-old Angela Mitchell, are charged with first-degree insurance fraud, second-degree arson and criminal conspiracy, according the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office. Ricky Mitchell was pastor of Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

Also indicted on arson and criminal conspiracy charges was Heather Rich Whitten, 45, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to second-degree rape.

The indictments stem from a Jan. 12, 2019 blaze at a building owned by the Mitchells. The building, authorities said, was occupied by Longview Institute and Emmanuel Fellowship Church.

Few details have been released by investigators about the fire or the charges against the trio of suspects.

Whitten was arrested on her indictment July 31 in Riverside. The Mitchells turned themselves in to authorities on Aug. 3. All three have been released on bond from the St. Clair County Jail.

The two-count indictment against Whitten stated she did “intentionally damage a building, by starting or maintaining a fire or causing an explosion” which damaged the building at 11012 U.S. Highway 78 in Riverside. It also claims she was in agreement with the Mitchells to do so.

The three-count indictments against the Mitchell makes the same claims against the couple, as well as stating they, with intent to defraud, presented a false claim to an insurance company in excess of $1,000. All of the charges against the Mitchells and Whitten are felonies."

Link!

Ricky Van Mitchell, Angela Mitchell & Heather Rich Whitten

 

[Inferus]

Self-fulfilling prophecy regarding hellfire?

 

[Spider]

Insurance fraud for when the collection plate isn't providing the desired cash flow.

 

[Sejanus]

Tax scam pseudo church now looking for an insurance parachute.
He looks so very pleased.
Maybe looking forward to prison preaching.

 

[EyEgOrE]

Heather has had a rough 45 years - she looks like she's pushing 65.
But I guess raping and burning churches ages a person.

 

[Keepalowprofile]

There would be a lot less religious scammers if churches were required to pay taxes. It would a lot less attractive Cash cow.

Not even sure why they aren't required to since the separation of church and state.

 

[DaBinz]

In my career the worst credit reports I’ve ever seen have been pastors, preachers and the like. Most are just glorified carpet baggers.

 

[Muriel Schwenck]

There would be a lot less religious scammers if churches were required to pay taxes. It would a lot less attractive Cash cow.

I'm all for churches paying a flat tax, also charities and non profits. Nothing to do with "separation of church and state".
States can collect taxes from churches.

In my career the worst credit reports I’ve ever seen have been pastors, preachers and the like. Most are just glorified carpet baggers.

I used to do collections and account support for an office supply company. Chiropractors and small churches or pastors with individual accounts were the worst. Not just in collections, but in account reconciliation. Either incompetence, scamming or both. Large churces were usually OK.

ETA: The financial incompetence wasn't necessarily due to criminal or immoral intent, but for some due to financial laziness and in the case of pastors, some entitlement. "I'm ministering to the poor so you have to cut me some slack." I don't know that for a fact. Anyway, you signed an agreement to pay 10th of the month.
I would expect a parson to be a man who sticks to a contract.
And BTW, small law offices were a problem too. They would threaten to sue because we called to ask for payment. Yeah, save that script for when we sell your unpaid account to a collection agency.

 

[Bobbo]

Fire?

In a church?

Didn’t they have any Holy water?

 

[QuickSugar]

How would taxing churches stop insurance fraud?

 

[Old Man Metal]

Dopey, Tubby and Spanky.