A former Conway pastor pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a Ponzi Scheme that bilked people out of $2.5 million.

Archie Larue Evans, 41, used to head Tilly Swamp Baptist Church.

He convinced church members and others to invest in a company he ran. He promised high rates of interest.

He lost or spent the money, but prepared false financial statements showing high returns.

On Wednesday, Evans pleaded to Mail Fraud and a charge of Structuring Financial Transactions to evade the reporting bank deposits of more than $10,000.

He faces 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.