A former North Carolina pastor has been charged for allegations of misappropriating funds and donations meant to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Jeffrey Brian Merrow, 60, previously a pastor at Garden Creek Baptist Church in Marion, has been charged with felony embezzlement and felony larceny, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation, launched on October 28, 2024, involved deputies interviewing church members regarding suspicions of theft, fraud, and embezzlement. Evidence provided by the congregation included receipts for transactions that reportedly never occurred, such as payments for goods and services that were neither purchased nor provided. One receipt showed a fraudulent insurance claim for items that were never stolen.
Church members also claimed Merrow personally collected cash donations intended for hurricane relief efforts but failed to allocate the money for its intended purpose. Furthermore, vital community-donated items such as heaters, chainsaws, and generators were reported as missing.
Court records show that Merrow was on supervised probation at the time of the alleged crimes due to an unrelated incident for similar charges. On January 5, 2025, Merrow was arrested and formally charged in connection with the new allegations.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with additional information to assist with the ongoing investigation.
