A former California pastor will serve two years in prison after admitting to stealing $200,000 from his church during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Curtis Frank Lemons stole the money from New Progressive Christian Baptist Church in Oxnard, where he served as assistant pastor before moving to Tennessee.
In 2020, Lemon issued himself a $200,000 cashier’s check from a church bank account, according to Los Angeles Times. He then moved from California to Tennessee, using the funds to purchase plane tickets, a new car, a new cell phone, and a real estate property. He also used the funds to pay for dental work, said prosecutors.
When Lemons stole the money, New Progressive Christian Baptist Church was grappling with doing ministry during a global pandemic. The church’s founding pastor, Jesse James Taylor, was also on his deathbed.
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Taylor had financially supported the church with personal funds he had earned in his real estate business. A significant portion of the $200,000 was stolen directly from Taylor.
Taylor passed away in 2021 at the age of 87.
The Oxnard Police Department launched an investigation after receiving a tip from a church member.
Lemons initially told police that he had given the $200,000 to charity, but authorities uncovered through their investigation that Lemons had spent the money on personal expenses.
In April, Lemons pleaded guilty to two felony charges of grand theft and one felony charge of money laundering.
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In addition to serving two years in a state prison, Lemons is also required to pay $200,000 in restitution to New Progressive Christian Baptist Church.
