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See Reasons Pastor was sentenced to 35 years in prison

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 16th, 2024.

See Reasons Pastor was sentenced to 35 years in prison

Dallas Pastor Sentenced to 35 Years for Stealing from Churches

A Dallas pastor has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for stealing property from three churches by filing fraudulent deeds. Whitney Foster, 56, was convicted by a jury for theft of property valued at $300,000 or more, according to Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot. The actual value of the stolen properties exceeded $800,000.

“Stealing real estate is an incredibly serious and damaging crime,” Creuzot said. “It’s worse than the theft of someone’s vehicle or other possessions. When someone steals property, we must hold them accountable because they are hurting people.”

Foster, who led a small congregation without a physical location, stole church buildings and land by filing fraudulent deeds that listed fake leadership for the victim churches as the grantors and named his church as the grantee. The churches involved were First Christian Church of Lancaster and two in Dallas: Canada Drive Christian Church and Church at Nineveh.

Two of the properties are still listed under Foster’s or his church’s name, and his congregation has been meeting at one of them. The third church property remains entangled in legal issues caused by Foster’s actions.

Prosecutors also presented evidence of seven additional fraudulent deeds. Authorities encourage homeowners in many Texas counties to register for a deed fraud alert service, which sends an email alert whenever a document is filed on their property.