The Mahoning County Grand Jury has handed up an indictment accusing an official of an Austintown church of stealing thousands of dollars from a fund meant for people in need.

Gregory Pflug, 51, of Austintown is charged with one count of grand theft.

According to a police report, a senior member of the Tabernacle Evangelical Church on South Raccoon Road reported that Pflug, while serving as a church deacon, made ATM withdrawals totaling $39,234 from the Deacon’s Fund, which was supposed to be for needy church members.

The senior church member told police that Pflug told him he had no way of repaying the money which he allegedly took for personal use.

Pflug was initially charged in County Court before his case was sent to the grand jury.

The court has issued a summons for Pflug to appear for arraignment.