Another Louisiana pastor jailed on a theft charge

Another southwest Louisiana pastor has been jailed on a theft charge. This time it happened in Calcasieu Parish. KPLC 7 News is reporting that Derek D. Bellard, of Stay the Course of Louisiana Full Gospel Ministries in Lake Charles, took on a job last year to make repairs at a woman’s home. However, the woman filed a complaint in March stating that she paid Bellard over $100,000.00 for labor and materials. The woman contended that Bellard started the job, but never finished it and never reimbursed her. The DA’s Office also said that when the woman questioned Bellard as to why he stopped work, he claimed that his company had gone bankrupt. Bellard has been arrested on a charge of Theft Over $25,000.00, and he’s currently free from the Calcasieu Parish Jail under a $15,000.00 bond. This case follows the Friday, July 12th arrest of Dock Jack Osteen, III, who is the former pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Leesville. In that case investigators say that Osteen stole up to $25,000.00 from the church during his time as pastor. He was arrested in Florida and at last word was awaiting extradition back to Vernon Parish.