North Dakota Man Pleads not Guilty in Church Arson Case

March 3, 2011

A 21-year-old Dickinson, N.D., man has pleaded not guilty to charges of burglarizing and setting fire to a local church.

Joshua Whitworth is charged with arson, burglary and theft of property. He entered the plea Feb. 28 during a hearing at the Stark County Courthouse.

The Dickinson Press reports that a criminal complaint accuses Whitworth of entering the Church of Christ in East Dickinson in December and stealing about $130. The complaint also accuses him of starting a fire in an attempt to destroy evidence of his entry.

Church of Christ member and preacher Dean Adams says the cost to replace the church hasn’t been established, but it will be well over $100,000.

His wife, Sherry Adams, says much of the cost will be covered by insurance.

Information from: The Dickinson Press

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.