OWEGO, TIOGA COUNTY (AP) -- State Police have charged an upstate New York pastor with embezzling more than $50,000 from a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses for the poor.

Investigators say 27-year-old David Heckman of Binghamton was treasurer of the Tioga County chapter and had Habitat homeowners pay cash mortgages directly to him.

Heckman is also accused of making unauthorized purchases he charged to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Newark Valley, where he was pastor.

Heckman was sent to the Tioga County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 property bond.

Police didn't know if Heckman has a lawyer. They said he was replaced as the organization's treasurer and placed on leave of absence from the church.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)