SANDY, Ore. - A seven-month KATU investigation has led to the arrest of a local pastor who stands accused of fleecing his flock out of thousands of dollars.

KATU directed police to the pastor Friday morning and our cameras were rolling when he was taken into custody.

Police were concerned Corey Pritchett would run, especially after seeing a KATU News story from earlier this week in which the pastor lost his home in a court case. In that story, we reported that Pritchett was planning to do some ministry work in Louisiana, so police felt they needed to take him into custody now.

The arrest, which happened at the Sandy Public Library, is what dozens of people who have had dealings with the pastor have wanted to see for a long time.

KATU has been investigating Pritchett, a self-proclaimed pastor and entrepreneur, since October. Employees at his real-estate business said he never fully paid them for their work and investors who gave him money for real estate deals said they never got any return on their investment.

"I feel like I've been abused and betrayed," Shree Nwerem told KATU News back in November. "I'm hurt."

Louis Latham is also pleased that Pritchett is facing justice. She said she still pays about $700 a month on a credit card for money she gave Pritchett for a home.

"At the same time I still have to make the payment for my credit card and all my debt, so it's very hard, but I know for sure that somebody had to stop him because I'm not the only one," she said.

Pritchett was in court earlier this week where he tried to sue the man who owns the Sandy-area home he has been living in. Pritchett claimed he was cheated out of an option to buy the house and was seeking $500,000 for mental anguish.

Pritchett stood as his own attorney, a plan that backfired on him. The judge kept having to remind him about court procedure and in the end, decided the pastor did not have a leg to stand on. Pritchett was ordered to be out of the home by Sunday night, perhaps another reason police felt they needed to move quickly.

On Friday, KATU went to Pritchett's home after learning of his impending arrest. While there, the KATU crew watched Pritchett ride away in a car with his family and then kept tabs on the vehicle while staying in contact with police, who were gathering their resources together to make the arrest.

Pritchett's stop at a library in Sandy was where the arrest took place. Police said there are complaints about Pritchett dating back three years and most of the charges are connected to fraudulent home sales.

"Mr. Pritchett has been using his position as a pastor to gain people's trust," one of the arresting officers said.

Pritchett could also face more charges in connection with his Web site, which solicits donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina. According to U.S. Postal Inspector Camille Hammonds, there is no evidence Pritchett was using the money for any charitable purpose and because people mailed donations, he could face federal charges.

Pritchett faces 16 felony charges in all, along with a couple of misdemeanor charges. "We're finding out that it goes back a couple of years and it's throughout different parts of Oregon and perhaps different parts of the country," one of the arresting officers said.

KATU has spoken with more than 20 people in three states who have made allegations against Pritchett. If you feel you are a victim, you are asked to call the Oregon State Police at (800) 452-7888.