Church con artist charged with stealing

COLUMBIA — A man accused of swindling money from Columbia churches and businesses has been charged with stealing.

Alan Farha, 32, was charged with seven counts of misdemeanor stealing by deceit on May 16, Boone County assistant prosecutor Cecily Daller said.

The thefts took place over a monthlong period in locations across Boone County, Daller said.

Farha was arrested on May 11 at the Jacksonville International Airport in Florida for a psychiatric evaluation after he made threats to harm others or himself, Columbia police Detective Steve Brown said. Florida authorities then contacted Columbia police on the following morning.

In April, Farha visited numerous Columbia churches and asked individual members for money and personal information, the Missourian reported earlier. Identifying himself as a journalism student, Farha told hard-luck stories in order to elicit money.

The Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office cannot move forward with action until the requested warrant for arrest is approved, Daller said.