A local youth pastor may not be practicing what he preaches.

William Townsend was arrested this week for allegedly stealing $20,000 in rent money from tenants at an East Point apartment complex where he worked, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Townsend worked as an office manager at the Greenwood at Marketplace Apartments, where police allege he stole money from tenants’ accounts by altering money orders so the money went to him instead of the complex, according to the news station.

On the side, Townsend also sometimes preached to young people at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta. Church elders told Channel 2 they were sad and shocked to learn about the allegations against Townsend.

A lot of the tenants were unaware of the alleged theft, police said, but the money has since been re-credited to their accounts.

Townsend faces charges of swindling and theft by conversion. He received a $50,000 signature bond, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. His next scheduled court date is Oct. 19.

In other news:

More than 100,000 people used the lanes in their opening weekend.

About the Author

Keep Reading

On April 8, 1974, in Atlanta, Hank Aaron smashed baseball’s home run record. Our special coverage celebrating the 50th anniversary of this magical moment has begun online and in our print editions. There’s still more to come as Monday’s historic anniversary arrives.

Credit: Richard Watkins

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images