Trespassing Highlights Problem at Old PTL Property?

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by Fox Charlotte

Story Created: Jun 16, 2011 at 11:08 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 17, 2011 at 7:43 AM EDT

FORT MILL, S.C. - Two adults in their early 20's were cited for trespassing Wednesday after police found them sleeping inside the old PTL castle in Fort Mill.  The York County Sheriff's Office report makes note of a fence around the property - a fence one member of the "castle couple" says he had no problem breaching.

Now in Raleigh, the 23-year-old told us over the phone that the interior of the building was "trashed."

"The kids are gonna keep going into it, the fence is not secure at all," says Fort Mill resident Eric Kinsinger.  He can see the tower that sits right next to the castle from his home.  He says just this week, another huge section of bricks fell off the side.  He says, "It's a horrible eyesore, bricks are falling off it daily."

Morningstar Ministries, the company that now owns these buildings, is in mediation with York County.  An agreement to re-develop the tower into a retirement home stalled, some speculate because the ministry doesn't have the money.       

The York County manager tells us if an agreement isn't reached, they will take this to court.  The county councilman who represents this district, David Bowman, also tells us, "The county and the ministry had an agreement and a time line that has not been adhered to.  (I) think the building is unsafe.  The county has been more than fair with the group."

In addition to the "castle couple," there was a trespassing incident on Saturday, too, when six people were arrested inside the tower.  So far this year, police have been called to the ministry property five times.

Kinsinger, who's created "Tear Down the Tower" tee-shirts, bumper stickers and a Facebook page, wishes the county could take action.  He says, "Yes, I know it's tax payers who are gonna get stuck footing the bill, but it's just not safe."

We left a message for the VP of Morningstar Ministries, Dave Yarnes, but didn't hear back.  Yarnes told us in November that the ministry had spent $250,000 on the tower and was "working hard behind the scenes."

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