A man was arrested and charged with stealing money from a church in Tennessee.
On Tuesday, 32-year-old Daniel Meadows was charged with stealing about $200,000 from a church where he previously worked for more than two years.
According to the authorities, Meadows was granted access to the funds at the Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville as part of his job.
In an official statement released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation during the recent press release after an investigation, it was revealed that Meadows worked at the Church as a Campus Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant for over two years.
After the agency’s investigation into the reported theft was launched, the church immediately announced he was sacked from his job.
The controversy arose after the church officials reported that a large amount of money had been stolen from its fund, leading the special agents to open an investigation on June 22.
According to the agency, the investigation found out that Meadows had access to the funds of the church as part of his job, making him the primary suspect.
Later on, they discovered that he stole about $198,755, the agency added.
Following the revelation, the church released an official statement, declaring “as you can imagine, this news has been devastating to our staff. We find ourselves seeking justice for the financial abuse that’s taken place, but also seeking mercy and healing for a brother who has fallen prey to sin. Join us in praying for Daniel and his family in the days ahead.”
Meadows was indicted on Dec. 2 on one count of theft of property. He was arrested Monday and booked into the Sumner County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Meanwhile, another US citizen was arrested and charged for allegedly stealing ornaments and crosses from churches in South Carolina last week.
According to the authorities, she brought her child with her to burglarize several churches.
The accused was identified as 42-year old Leslie Reese. Complainants alleged that she broke into four churches in the Gilbert area last month and took items such as Christmas ornaments and a cross.
“After reviewing security cam footage at Gilbert United Methodist Church, property crimes investigators confirmed Reese broke into Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Gilbert United Methodist Church,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in a statement.
“The security cam footage showed Reese breaking a window to get into both churches and taking various items such as a cross, candles and Christmas ornaments,” the sheriff added.
