A Louisiana couple has been charged after allegedly stealing more than $156,000 from a Baptist church over an extended period.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a ten-month investigation led to the arrest of Troy R. Wamsley, 71, and Mandy L. Wamsley, 58, both of Chestnut. Troy Wamsley served as a church deacon, while Mandy Wamsley was an appointed treasurer at Ashland Baptist Church.
Sheriff Stuart Wright said the investigation began in February, after church officials reported financial discrepancies. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau worked alongside banking institutions and church representatives to examine the church’s accounts.
Investigators allege the couple wrote and cashed more than 100 unauthorised checks, diverting church funds for personal use. Authorities said the Wamsleys later admitted to the theft during a meeting with church officials and indicated they intended to repay the money.
The pair were arrested without incident on December 16 and charged with felony theft over $25,000. They were booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Parish Detention Center before being released on $10,000 bonds each.
Detectives reported that most of the stolen funds have since been repaid.
Sheriff Wright praised investigators for their “persistence and professionalism” and stressed the seriousness of financial crimes involving positions of trust.
