Church bookkeeper charged with theft

CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WALA) - The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office say they have arrested a church bookkeeper on charges that she stole approximately $316,616 of the church's finances.

Deputies say 37-year-old Jeana Michelle Adams is charged with grand theft over $100,000, uttering a forged instrument, forgery, and racketeering.

Adams was employed by Emmanuel Baptist Church since 2003. Church deacons and accountants started uncovering indications of forgeries in late 2009. They then contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office in October.

An investigation revealed that Adams had been writing numerous church checks to herself and then depositing the money in her personal bank accounts. They also found that she made purchases with her credit cards and then electronically transferred church funds into her credit card accounts.

Adams was arrested Tuesday and booked at the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview.