Calhoun Police have arrested Melanie Ann Temple, 40, and her husband Chad Lamar Temple. .38, this week after reports said they embezzled over $210,000 from Belmont Baptist Church.
Reports said that authorities were notified in July 2022, by then pastor Stephen Williams, that a former church secretary (Melanie Land) had been embezzling money through unauthorized purchases with church credit cards.
An investigation then resulted in finding $212,008.09 was embezzled from the church.
Melanie Temple is charged with 60 counts of criminal receipt of goods, 138 counts of criminal receipt of goods or services fraudulently obtained, 198 counts of financial transaction card fraud, and one count each of financial transaction card theft and theft by deception.
Chad Temple is charged with 198 counts of criminal receipt of goods or services fraudulently obtained, 198 counts of financial transaction card fraud, one count each of financial transaction card theft and theft by deception, and probation violation.
