Children's home head goes to court

A local minister charged with a $10,000 raffle scam is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 1.

The Rev. David J. Butler, director of Shepherd's Cove children's home near Gordonville, was arrested March 31 and has been charged with felony stealing and unlawful merchandising practice.

Authorities say none of the $9,671 raised in a raffle ticket fund raiser went to the children's home, and that the promised car was never awarded to the winning ticket holder.

Gordon Glaus, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecutor, said he will present evidence against Butler at the preliminary hearing, at which time a judge will decide if that evidence warrants a trial.

"I believe there is sufficient evidence, and I'll let the evidence speak for itself," Glaus said.

According to the arrest warrant, Butler raised the money between September 2004 and February 2005 but transferred it from a raffle account to his own personal account and used the money for "personal business."