A Southern California pastor is facing 11 federal charges relating to accusations that he swindled his friends and a nonprofit organization out of more than $230,000. Terrance Owens Elliott of The Ship of Zion Church in San Bernardino was arrested on Thursday (March 6).
Elliott, 60, is also known by the name Tony Elliott, according to a statement released by the district attorney’s office.
Elliott’s alleged crimes took place between 2019 and 2023.
According to the district attorney, Elliott allegedly presented himself as working for the San Bernardino city government and San Bernardino Police Department and defrauded “several long-time friends out of approximately $150,263.”
Elliott allegedly convinced one victim, identified as M.C., to put her inheritance money into a trust that was solely controlled by Elliott, as Elliott told her that she would otherwise lose her Medicare and Social Security benefits.
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Elliott then allegedly used the trust to pay expenses for a church, identified in the court documents as “Church A.” He also allegedly used the trust to pay for personal expenses, including “the repair of a Chevrolet truck, Nike sneakers, a piano, clothing, and an extended warranty for a motorcycle.”
Prosecutors allege that Elliott also gained access to M.C.’s Social Security account and made $27,164 of unauthorized transfers to the church.
After M.C. died, Elliott allegedly convinced her family to pay approximately $8,615 in funeral expenses, even though the trust money was meant to cover those expenses. Elliott allegedly convinced the family that he would not be able to access the trust money until he received authorization from a judge.
Elliott is further accused of bilking another victim of $65,000. Identified as W.H., the second victim was a relative of M.C.
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Elliott allegedly convinced W.H. to put the proceeds from selling M.C.’s house into M.C.’s trust in order to avoid paying capital gains taxes. Elliott then allegedly used those funds for personal expenses.
