A preacher used the Social Security number of a Bogalusa toddler to help steal $20,000 from an insurance company, police said.

Louisiana State Police arrested the Christian author, musician and preacher in Abita Springs Friday on multiple charges of fraud.

After an investigation into complaints made by Allianz Life insurance company and the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit arrested John Stephen Vaughn, also known as Rev. Shane Vaughn, 35, on charges including insurance fraud, identity theft and bank fraud, said Sgt. Markus Smith.

Advertisement

Vaughn is connected to Renmant Ministries International, according to his website which states he and his wife “founded this ministry of truth fifteen years ago.”

Investigators allege that Vaughn used a fake Wyoming driver’s license and the Social Security number of a 2-year old Bogalusa child to obtain an insurance producer’s license in October, 2007.

He then defrauded Allianz Life by “selling” a $212,000 annuity to a person who did not exist, and pocketed approximately $20,000 of commission plus an additional $500 when he overdrew the bank account, according to reports.

Investigators were able to identify Vaughn from bank surveillance photos and a MySpace web page. They say he used multiple false addresses and went to several bank branches to facilitate the fraud and so his criminal activities involved multiple jurisdictions.

Smith said he could not say for sure how Vaughn got the Bogalusa child’s Social Security number.

He said and he believes other victims will come forward when they learn of the arrest. Vaughn faces more than a dozen charges pending in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Jefferson parishes.

Vaughn was booked into the Livingston Jail and will be booked in the other jurisdictions upon his release. He is also a fugitive out of Franklin County, Tennessee, and will be extradited back, for filing false records, said Smith.