Updated with the Denver Post:
A theologically conservative pastor in Colorado Springs who led his congregation in a split from the Episcopal Church has been indicted by a grand jury on felony-theft charges.
Colorado Springs police recently wrapped up a two-year investigation into “financial mismanagement” of church funds by the Rev. Donald Armstrong, according to a department media release issued today.
The police investigation was turned over to the Pueblo district attorney’s office to avoid possible conflicts of interest, and a Pueblo grand jury returned a 20-count indictment Wednesday against Armstrong, police announced.
The Gazette of Colorado Springs has the story:
The Rev. Donald Armstrong was arrested Wednesday after a Grand Jury indicted him on 20 counts of felony theft charges, concluding a two-year investigation by the Colorado Springs Police into Armstrong’s financial conduct while head priest of Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church downtown.
Armstrong surrendered to police Thursday and is currently free on bond, said Sgt. Steve Noblitt of the Colorado Springs Police.
Armstrong left the Episcopal Church with much of his congregation to join the Anglican Church of Nigeria, which has already given him a clean bill of health on his handling of the congregation’s finances. Before leaving the Episcopal Church, he led the Anglican Communion Institute, and consulted with a group that later became the Communion Partner bishops.