On September 7th, 2022, Marshall County Police Captain Jeff Snyder was contacted by a representative of the Plymouth Community Church, located at 11802 Lincoln Highway in Plymouth, regarding the discovery of funds missing from the church account. It was found that the pastor, Darek Morris, age 34 of Walkerton, had been transferring additional funds from the church account to pay his own personal credit card balances as well as taking additional money over his salary. This had occurred from January 2020 until discovered in July 2022 and Darek’s employment as pastor was terminated.
Upon reviewing the Church bank statements from March 2020 until July 2022 it was found that the transactions over that course of time totaled $100,994.74 in funds taken as an addition to the agreed-upon salary and $57,376.70 in transactions paid from the church account directly to credit cards in the name of Darek Morris.
During an interview, Darek admitted to the theft and took responsibility for his actions.
A case report was submitted to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office and an arrest warrant was issued for Darek Morris for the crime of Theft exceeding $50, 000 value as a Level 5 felony. He was given a cash bond of $10,000.
On Friday, June 30th, 2023, Darek Morris turned himself in at the Marshall County Jail where he was booked in for the arrest warrant.
***Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
