Man Says He Did Not ‘Steal’ Century Church

June 21, 2011

A Pensacola man accused of “stealing” a Century church says he’s not guilty.

John D. Young, 72, was arrested last month for grand theft for allegedly signing a Century church property over to a Flomaton woman when he was not authorized to do so. During an arraignment hearing before Judge Terry Terrell, Young pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. He is scheduled to be back in court in late September.

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

Comments

3 Responses to “Man Says He Did Not ‘Steal’ Century Church”

  1. 429SCJ on June 21st, 2011 10:33 pm

    If the church dont fit, you must acquit!

  2. God's Child on June 21st, 2011 12:03 pm

    I am praying and trusting God to bring him out of this.

  3. Roy on June 21st, 2011 7:41 am

    I pray that this will pass for the Minister. We ALL come short of the Glory of God. But I have known Pastor Young for a Long Time and he would not do anything that would steer his Faith in the wrong directions. Pray Changes Things

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News