Fresno church pastor admits to stealing government benefits

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a former Central California pastor has admitted to stealing more than $100,000 in government benefits.

Fifty-five-year-old Alvin Dickson, a former pastor at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Fresno, collected about $113,000 in Social Security disability insurance benefits while earning a church salary and living rent free between July 2005 and April 2013.

He did not disclose his employment or income to the government.

Dickson pleaded guilty to theft of government property. He will be sentenced Oct. 24, and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.