Event: Arson Investigation and Indictments

Ricky Van Mitchell

Angela Mitchell

 

Heather Whitten

      A St Clair County grand jury returned an indictment last week charging Ricky Van Mitchell and Angela Mitchell of Cropwell, Alabama, with one count of Insurance Fraud 1st Degree, Arson 2nd and Criminal Conspiracy. Heather Rich Whitten was also indicted for Arson 2nd and Criminal Conspiracy in an incident involving a fire that occurred on January 12, 2019, at 11012 US Hwy 78 Riverside, Alabama. 

The indictments come after an investigation was conducted into a suspicious fire and suspected fraudulent insurance claim on a building in Riverside. Investigators from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Department of Insurance Criminal Investigation’s Division and the St. Clair County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. The building was owned by Rick and Angela Mitchell. The building was occupied by Longview Institute and Emmanuel Fellowship Church, of which Rick Mitchell served as a pastor. 

Heather Whitten was arrested on her indictment on 7/31/2019 in Riverside, AL. Ricky Van Mitchell and Angela Mitchell turned themselves in to authorities on 8/3/2019. All were released on bond from the St. Clair County Jail.