Two Lee County women are due in court on November 16 after their arrests yesterday on felony embezzlement charges. The women were previously employed by the Grace Chapel Church on Jefferson Davis Highway in Sanford. A former male employee of the church has been in custody for an identical charge since his arrest on August 12.
Elizabeth Yandle Perrell, 49, of Sanford was charged with one felony count of embezzlement by local or charitable officer or employee. Perrell previously worked as a secretary for Grace Chapel Church.
The charge relates to actions Perrell undertook from December 2006 through November 2008. During this time period, Perrell embezzled $43,336.83 through a series of unauthorized, personal charges on a credit card assigned to her by the church. The credit card was intended to be used for official church business.
Sherri Kelly Reynolds, 51, of Sanford was charged with one felony count of embezzlement by local or charitable officer or employee. Reynolds previously worked as the finance manager for Grace Chapel Church.
The charge relates to actions Reynolds undertook from December 2006 through April 2012. During this time period, Reynolds embezzled $133,370.34 through a series of unauthorized, personal charges on two credit cards assigned to her by the church. The credit cards were intended to be used for official church business.
Bradley William Simon, 54, of Clover, South Carolina was previously charged with one felony count of embezzlement by local or charitable officer or employee. Simon previously worked as an assistant to the chief financial officer for Grace Chapel Church.
The charge relates to actions Simon undertook from March 2013 through August 2013. During this time period, Simon conducted a series of unauthorized withdrawals totaling $105,456.17 from the church’s primary bank account. Simon was also responsible for an additional $64,969.75 in unauthorized checks written against the church’s account from February 2013 through September 2013.
Elizabeth Yandle Perrell and Sherri Kelly Reynolds turned themselves in at the Lee County jail and were fingerprinted and photographed. The magistrate issued each woman a $5,000 secured bond before they were released.
Bradley William Simon was issued a $200,000 secured bond by the magistrate on the date of his arrest.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received information about the church’s finances and requested the SBI to investigate.
The investigation remains active and additional information is being reviewed.
Contact: SAC Mike East
(919) 662-4545