A former Ventura County pastor has been sentenced to two years in state prison for stealing $200,000 from a church.
Prosecutors say Curtis Frank Lemons took the money from New Progressive Christian Baptist Church in Oxnard in 2020 while he was an assistant pastor. He issued himself a cashier’s check from a church account and used the $200,000 for everything from airline tickets to the purchase of property.
The 69-year-old was living in Tennessee when he was charged. According to Oxnard Police, Lemons initially claimed he had given the money to charity. He later pleaded guilty to grand theft and money laundering charges.
He's also been ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution.
