Man Charged With ‘Stealing’ Century Church

May 16, 2011

A Pensacola man is facing a felony grand theft charge for allegedly stealing a Century church.

John D. Young, 72, was arrested for signing a Century church property over to a Flomaton woman when he was not authorized to do so. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $2,500 bond.

According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, Young signed the property over to Taryn Wright with a quit-claim deed on the small, 1,500 square foot church located at 401 Hecker Road in Century. Young signed the documents while acting as the bishop of the Northwest Florida Jurisdiction of God In Christ, Inc., but investigators said Young knew he was no longer the organization’s bishop and could not act on their behalf.

Young was appointed bishop of the Northwest Florida Jurisdiction of God in Christ, Inc,. in 1996 and resigned in 2008, according to the arrest report. In February 2009, a letter was sent to Young confirming the unanimous acceptance of his resignation by the church board. In July 2009, Young was removed from the corporations records with the Florida Department of State. He signed the property over to Wright as “Bishop Young of Northwest Florida Jurisdiction of God In Christ, Inc.” in May 2010.

Willie Green, the current bishop of the church, told Sheriff’s investigators that he tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue with Young. Green said he then tried to rent the church to Wright but failed and then asked her to vacate the property. According to the Sheriff’s Office report, Wright has not vacated the church.

According to Escambia County Property Appraiser records, the church property is valued at $14,253.

Comments

7 Responses to “Man Charged With ‘Stealing’ Century Church”

  1. David Huie Green on May 21st, 2011 3:25 pm

    REGARDING:
    “I feel deep down in my heart that this man is innocent.”

    Interesting thought. He may be innocent. What would be the ways?

    1. He didn’t do it in the first place and people forged his name. That would make others guilty of crimes.

    2. He did do it but had the authority to do it and those claiming otherwise are wrong. That would make others guilty of crimes.

    3. He did it but THOUGHT he had the authority to do so and would be innocent through ignorance. That would allow everybody to be innocent but mistaken.

    For all I know, all are possible. Which would apply? or did I miss one?

    David just wondering

  2. JIM W on May 18th, 2011 2:46 pm

    If in fact this guy did this just what did he gain from it? I want to know.

  3. got 2 say it on May 17th, 2011 8:16 pm

    He is 72 years old…he knew what he was doing…believe me he knew

  4. Terrance D. on May 17th, 2011 5:58 pm

    I feel deep down in my heart that this man is innocent. Why do people persecute and not pray for one another. We are living in the last and evil days and the devil is busy and mad.

  5. Roy Cook on May 17th, 2011 1:19 pm

    God Bless this man! When you start selling the Church I think that bad. There has got to be more to this story. What do you think??

  6. JIM W on May 16th, 2011 2:41 pm

    There has to be more to this story that whayt has been told so far. Strange indeed. Wow! Politics, decite, money, ego, maybe and who knows what else is involved. This one will be on my watch list. Who steals a Church???

  7. ?? on May 16th, 2011 2:14 pm

    Did he sign the church over for free or was he compensated?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News