Youth pastor accused of embezzlement

Allegations that a former youth minister embezzled $73,000 from a Shelbyville church will be presented to the Bedford County grand jury next Monday, according to a Shelbyville police detective.

Charles Lohn, the former youth minister at Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church, was brought in for questioning "concerning his involvement in the embezzlement of approximately $73,000 from the church," Detective Sgt. Brian Crews said.

Crews said that the alleged embezzlement took place over a three-year period and that Lohn has been terminated from the church.

Associate Pastor David Brown told the T-G Monday that "we are cooperating with authorities by providing them with information and we are praying for Charles and his reconciliation with the church."

The detective said they have been looking into the allegations for the past two weeks and that they are now prepared to take the case before the Bedford County grand jury.

Crews explained that one of the members of the church became aware there were discrepancies with their finances and upon looking at the numbers further, discovered that Lohn was allegedly "writing himself additional checks."

Shelbyville police were contacted by the church's pastor and treasurer, who requested their assistance in the matter.

"It was turned over to us and we began to investigate this approximately two weeks ago," Crews said. "A determination by the church was made to pursue criminal charges."