Church members mailed donation checks believing the money would reach their congregations. Investigators say suspects instead deposited the stolen checks into accounts they controlled, often without changing the checks.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office announced eight arrests on November 6 in an investigation involving more than $260,000 in confirmed losses. Detectives also obtained arrest warrants for seven additional people.
The investigation covers alleged activity between September 2025 and May 2026. Detectives identified more than 20 suspects and at least 17 affected churches in Manatee County…