A pastor from North Carolina has been arrested and charged with embezzlement for allegedly misusing funds donated by his congregation for hurricane relief efforts. The case, involving 60-year-old Jeffrey Brian Merrow, adds to a criminal history of financial crimes spanning nearly two decades. According to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Merrow has been charged with felony embezzlement and felony larceny.
Merrow previously served as the pastor of Garden Creek Baptist Church, where he was entrusted with overseeing donations and relief efforts. However, after months of investigation, authorities allege that Merrow misappropriated funds intended to assist victims of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread devastation in North Carolina. The hurricane resulted in over $59.6 billion in property damage and claimed the lives of more than 100 people in the state.
