Former pastor admits stealing from his Illinois church

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) - A former southern Illinois pastor is admitting he stole thousands of dollars from the Carbondale church he once led and from one of its members.

WSIL-TV (http://bit.ly/145DUlx ) reports that 34-year-old Joshua Swain pleaded guilty Wednesday in Jackson County court to felony counts of theft, aggravated identity theft and loan fraud. Those convictions are punishable by up to 29 years in prison.

Investigators say the crimes happened between 2011 and 2013 while Swain was senior pastor at The View Church. He was arrested last summer.

Authorities alleged that Swain also used a church member's name and Social Security number to obtain at least $10,000, and that he submitted fake documents from the church board to get a bank loan.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 4.

___

Information from: WSIL-TV, http://www.wsiltv.com