Police: New Castle pastor threatened kids with gun

NEW CASTLE – Police say a New Castle pastor told neighborhood children to stay away from his church or he would shoot them.

At that point, investigators say, 69-year-old Bobby R. Slagle raised his shirt, allowing the youngsters to see the .38-caliber revolver in his waist band.

Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs’ office on Tuesday charged Slagle with intimidation, a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison, and resisting law enforcement, a misdemeanor.

New Castle police said the events leading to the pastor’s arrest began about 5 p.m. Monday, after Phillips – outside Calvary Baptist Church, 2700 S. Main St. – allegedly threatened a brother and sister riding their bicycles to nearby Baker Park.

An officer reported one of the children was “upset and shaking” while recounting the incident.

The officer eventually found Slagle at his home, in the 2300 block of South Ind. 103.

Slagle “stated that he advised the kids that if they did not get off his property, he was going to shoot them,” the report said.

The pastor also confirmed he had displayed his firearm, raising “his shirt in a very fast fashion” to show the officer his gun.

Slagle reportedly told the officer he was frustrated over recent vandalism at the church, and “it was his right to tell the kids what he did.”

He allegedly struggled with officers when they later took him into custody on the church property. At that time, his gun “contained four live rounds of ammo,” the report said.

In Henry Circuit Court 3 on Wednesday, Slagle – who had been released from the Henry County jail after posting bond – waived his right to an initial hearing. Judge Bob Witham entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. Follow him on Twitter: @DouglasWalkerSP.