A church trustee who admitted to using the church’s credit card to buy groceries and pay his bills has been arrested on felony charges.
Allan Richard Barber, 61, of Summerfield, had served for about two years as a trustee at Starting Point Church on SE Hwy. 42 in Summerfield. Over the past several months he used the church’s Lowe’s credit card to purchase $3,000 in VISA gift cards and lawn equipment, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The church’s administrator discovered the charges and confronted Barber on Oct. 12. He admitted the charges were for his personal use. In an interview with a deputy at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Annex on County Road 466 and Morse Boulevard, Barber admitted he obtained the gift cards to buy groceries and pay bills. He said he had money problems.
Barber was arrested Wednesday on charges of grand theft and illegal use of a credit card. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $4,000 bond.
