OBERLIN — The trial for an Allen Parish School Board member accused of stealing more than $2,100 from the Coushatta Casino Resort has been rescheduled for January.

Keith Welch, 45, of Oakdale was to stand trial Monday in 33rd Judicial District Court after pleading innocent to theft of U.S. currency in April.

Amanda Larkins, a spokeswoman for the state Attorney General’s Office, said Monday that the court granted a defense motion to continue the trial, which was reset for Jan. 17.

An Oct. 18 court date has been set to handle other pretrial motions, Larkins said.

Welch was arrested last September on four counts of felony theft and two counts of misdemeanor theft.

State police say he took money from several machines over a 10-day period while employed as a kiosk drop team manager at the Kinder-based casino.

Welch, who was elected to School Board District 3 just days after his arrest and took office in January, will continue to serve unless he is found guilty.

The Attorney General’s Office is handling the case because Allen Parish District Attorney Todd Nesom recused his office, citing a conflict of interest. Nesom is the legal adviser for the School Board.