Make Payment
Call Today
(952) 913-1421
Call Today
(952) 913-1421

Police charge minister with stealing from church

While it may not seem like a serious offense, stealing can have a much wider impact than just a conviction. Because theft crimes call into question your reliability and your trustworthiness, having a criminal record for theft makes it very difficult for employers, landlords and friends to trust you.

It is very easy for someone accused of a theft crime to say something that police can twist around and use against him or her at a trial, making it important to say nothing to police until you have spoken with your criminal defense attorney.

Unfortunately, it appears a youth minister from Burnsville has implicated himself in a series of thefts from his church. Burnsville police officers had been called by the church to investigate what it believed to be a theft and officers decided to check out the youth minister after church officials indicated he had been having financial difficulties.

As investigators looked into the case a little more closely, they claim they discovered that 40 checks written to the church had been deposited in the youth minister’s account, but it is unclear how the officers gained access to the minister’s financial accounts. Officers then spoke with the minister about the checks, but there is no indication that he was given his Miranda rights or given the chance to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.

According to police, when shown a spreadsheet documenting the checks police claim the minister deposited, he started to get emotional and admitted his involvement with the thefts.

Had the youth minister been able to speak with an attorney before he was confronted by police, it is possible that they would not have been able to charge him with theft. At the very least, his attorney would have prevented police from eliciting such an emotional response.

Source: My Fox 9, “Burnsville Youth Minister Charged With Skimming Church Funds,” March 29, 2012

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.