Local church deacon appears in court

RIDGEFIELD, Wash. - A deacon at a Ridgefield church arrested in connection with money stolen from the congregation appeared in court on Monday.

Arthur Nelson, 51, of Battle Ground, is facing one count each of first- and second-degree theft and 10 additional counts of third-degree theft.

Nelson, who is also a Battle Ground City Council candidate, is accused of stealing between $14,000 and $20,000 from Grace Fellowship Church.

The church auditor, Dan Hart, told KATU News on Sunday that he believes Nelson wrote himself checks meant for charity and then cashed them.

After the audit, members said Nelson stopped coming to church. Shortly after, they said Nelson mailed them a $10,000 check with a note telling them if they cashed it, he would be absolved of wrongdoing.

But members of the church gave the check to detectives, who arrested Nelson at his home on Friday. He posted a $60,000 bond over the weekend and was released from jail.

After his court hearing on Monday, a woman with him said they would not speak to KATU News.

Friends said Nelson told them he was losing his sight, but he painted and sided the church, built boxes for fire extinguishers, as well as boxes to help church ladies in and out of their chairs.

But members said what Nelson did not leave behind was an apology. Still, they say they still love him and his family.

Church members said Nelson's wife was the church treasurer and signed some of the checks Nelson cashed. Investigators said more arrests are possible.