Pastor Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Stealing Church Properties Worth $800,000

Texas pastor Whitney Foster has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the theft of three church properties valued at over $800,000. Foster, who served at the True Foundation nondenominational church in Dallas, was found guilty of executing fraudulent property deeds to steal real estate from three local congregations.

Dallas County prosecutors revealed that Foster fraudulently filed property deeds under fake names, including fictitious pastors and church officials, to acquire the properties illegally. The properties involved were the First Christian Church in Lancaster, Texas, Canada Drive Christian Church, and Church at Ninevah. Despite the conviction, two of these properties remain listed in Foster’s name, while legal complications persist with the third.

Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot emphasized the severity of Foster’s crimes, stating, “Stealing real estate is an incredibly serious and damaging crime. It’s worse than the theft of someone’s vehicle or other possessions. When someone steals property, we must hold them accountable because they are hurting people.”

The jury was presented with evidence of seven additional fraudulent acts beyond the three primary charges. This case is not Foster’s first encounter with the law, as he has previous convictions for identity theft and arson.