Hold that offering plate, North Carolina Pastor charged with embezzlement and larceny... accused of stealing hurricane relief donations.
In October 2024, church members of Garden Creek Baptist Church reported fraud and theft to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office. At the time, 60 year old Jeffrey Brian Merrow was pastor, and suspect.
A social media post by the Sheriff's Office says church members provided receipts for goods and services never purchased or rendered, all paid with church money. Members also allege Merrow stole cash donations for hurricane relief and donated items, like generators and chainsaws for relief efforts, were reported stolen.
Right now Merrow is facing charges of felony Embezzlement and Larceny. He was given a secured bond of $5,000.
He was taken into custody on Sunday, January 5, 2025 after a warrant was issued in November.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Merrow is currently on supervised probation for Obtaining Property by False Pretense greater than $100,000, from an unrelated incident.