The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reports nearly half a million dollars was stolen from First Baptist Church of Ware Shoals in Greenwood. Investigators accuse a former employee of embezzling the money.
Shelley C. Strickland, 55, worked at the church from 2018 until 2024, according to SCDOR. It was during that time, investigators found, Strickland embezzled more than $445,000 from the church and took the money for personal use. She was charged for those alleged crimes in 2024.
SCDOR agents say Strickland was arrested again Monday because she allegedly did not file the money she took from the church on her income taxes, thus evading at least $29,626.
If convicted, Strickland faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 for each count.
As of Tuesday morning, she is held at the Greenwood Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
