MARION, N.C. – A former pastor has been charged with embezzlement and theft from a western North Carolina church that involves contributions of money and supplies intended for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Jeffrey Brian Merrow, 60, of Marion with felony counts of embezzlement and larceny, according to an announcement made Friday, Jan. 17.
Merrow, who was pastor of Garden Creek Baptist Church in Marion at the time, was given a $5,000 secured bond.
According to sheriff’s officials, a deputy met with church members in reference to embezzlement, fraud and theft on Oct. 28, 2024. During the meeting, church members presented the deputy with numerous receipts for goods that were never purchased or services that were never rendered, all of which were paid for with church funds. One receipt was for a claim to a local insurance company for items that were never stolen.
Church members also reported that large amounts of cash donations for hurricane relief collected from church attendees and members of the community were handed to Merrow but never turned in for their intended use.
Additionally, church members said items donated by the community for hurricane relief — such as generators, chainsaws, heaters and more — were reported stolen.
Upon further investigation, a warrant was issued for Merrow’s arrest on Nov. 19, 2024, and he was taken into custody on Jan. 5, 2025.
Merrow was already on supervised probation for obtaining property by false pretense of an amount greater than $100,000 from an unrelated incident, authorities said.
This article originally appeared in the Biblical Recorder.
Related posts:
Biden facing criticism for highlighting Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter 
One-fourth of U.S. United Methodist churches have left. What happens now? 
Louisiana attempts to enforce Ten Commandments law despite court ruling halting it 
Clinton, Trump clash in 2nd heated debate 
Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments 
Churches mark 2025 MLK Day on rare concurrence with Inauguration Day 
Lights in the darkness, chaplains work during law enforcement personnel crisis 
Georgia Baptist churches offer support, healing in wake of school shooting
