COLUMBUS, Ind. — Legal documents are providing a deeper look into the recent arrest of Columbus minister, Justin White, for insurance fraud and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Documents show White began purchasing marijuana from a troubled teen in the church when the boy was 15. In 2015, White was treated for a heroin overdose and went to rehab. When White ran up a debt to the teen he allegedly came up with the plan to stage the burglary at his home.
On December 18, the burglary was reported to Columbus police and White made a Facebook post about the crime saying, “Thankful for insurance.” Days after the burglary, police reports indicate they found internet searches on his computer like, “Can police read Facebook messages?” And, “Can police prosecute on circumstantial evidence?” Law enforcement reports also say they recovered Facebook messages between White and the teen planning the December 18 crime.
White has resigned from the First Christian Church as a senior pastor.
