Shifflett enters plea deal

By Nate Delesline III

Published: June 24, 2008

The Rev. Charles Shifflett pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to 21 charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, tax fraud and filing false workman’s compensation claims.

Twenty similar charges against his wife Janice were dismissed. Charles Shifflett originally faced 51 charges; the other 30 were indefinitely suspended.

Circuit Court Judge John R. Cullen accepted the plea agreement calling the evidence in the case “substantial.” He then revoked Shifflett’s bond and ordered him held in custody pending an Oct. 8 sentencing hearing.

Cullen advised Shifflett that he faces a maximum of 310 years in prison on the 20 felony charges and 12 months in prison on the misdemeanor charges. In addition, the charges also carry possible fines totaling $52,500. The plea comes in advance of a jury trial which was set to begin July 21.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Shifflett did not speak at length, instead responding only to Cullen’s questions regarding his understanding of the plea agreement. Shifflett said he also understood that another judge will handle the case from now on, as Cullen is set to retire at the end of this month. It is not yet known who will take the case.

“Pastor Shifflett has come before the court with his eyes open,” and a full understanding of the possible outcomes, his attorney, Charles Bowman, told Cullen. “We do believe this is a reasonable outcome,” he said after Cullen accepted the plea.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dale Durrer agreed, noting that all the victims in the case have signed the plea agreement. Durrer also said a jury trial would have taken two weeks and required the commonwealth to summon witnesses from Wisconsin, Indiana and Portland, Maine at taxpayer expense. In all, about 30 people were expected to testify.

The case stems from an investigation by the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Taxation regarding incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2006.

At a February hearing, Durrer told the court that in March 2002, the 57-year-old pastor directed a bookkeeper at his former church, Calvary Baptist, to pay his wife a housing allowance of $250 a week. Durrer said the request came at almost the exact same time Shifflett’s $600 week salary was reduced by $250 because he was receiving workman’s compensation. Shifflett is also accused of obtaining money by false pretenses from Church Mutual Insurance Co. and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co.

In February, over the objections of the defense, Cullen accepted a motion from the commonwealth to join their cases. He rejected a defense argument that the overwhelming number of facts and circumstances presented in a joint case would overwhelm a jury. Cullen sided with the commonwealth which argued that if the couple were tried separately, the second person would have an unfair advantage.

In December 2006, Shifflett pleaded guilty to six charges of assault and battery and a charge of cruelty to children for allegations of child abuse from former students at his church-run school 20 years ago.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .