Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Gregory A. Pflug, 51, of Birch Trace, Austintown, pleaded not guilty to grand theft Tuesday during his arraignment in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

He is accused of stealing from a fund at Tabernacle Evangelical Church on South Raccoon Road meant for people in need. The charge is a fourth-degree felony.

A police report states a senior member of the church reported that Pflug, while serving as a church deacon, made ATM withdrawals totaling more than $39,000 from the deacon’s fund, which is for needy church members.

Pflug’s indictment alleges that the thefts took place between July 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023.

Pflug’s bond of $4,000 was continued at the hearing, meaning it remains the same as what it was prior to the hearing. Pflug remains free on bond. If convicted, Pflug could get 18 months in prison.

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