NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A woman who spent more than a decade managing finances for a Nassau County church has been ordered to begin repaying what authorities say was more than $570,000 she stole from the congregation over five years.
Melissa Ganey English, also known as Melissa Ganey Rhoden, 45, served as financial secretary at Amelia Baptist Church, located on Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach, for about 11 years. Authorities say that from January 2019 to October 2024, English used her position to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in church funds toward her own personal expenses.
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On June 3, a judge ordered English to pay $20,000 in restitution to Amelia Baptist Church within 60 days. The order also notes the court may order additional payments at a later date.
If English is placed on probation or parole, full satisfaction of the restitution order will be a required condition — and failure to comply could result in revocation of that supervision.
How the alleged theft was uncovered
The alleged scheme unraveled in October 2024 when two new church financial committee members reviewed bank documents and noticed the church’s funds were lower than they should have been.
When investigators examined credit card statements tied to a church card issued directly to English, they found hundreds of thousands of dollars had been charged for personal use. English was fired, and the church hired an outside contractor to review all financial transactions from 2019 to 2024. That review turned up numerous discrepancies and fraudulent charges.
According to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, English embezzled:
- Nearly $40,000 in 2019
- Nearly $90,000 in 2020
- More than $100,000 in 2021
- Nearly $125,000 in 2022
- Just over $123,000 in 2023
- More than $90,000 in 2024
Fraudulent charges included purchases from Amazon and Walmart, SeaWorld tickets, concert tickets, baseball tickets, Hey Dude shoes, hotel stays, flights, cruises, Airbnb rentals and a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.
Arrest, charges, restitution
A warrant was issued March 25, 2025. English was located and detained in Baker County.
She has been charged with grand theft over $100,000, a first-degree felony.
“This is a significant breach of trust that has deeply impacted the church community,” Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. “The suspect abused her position of trust for years, using church funds meant for ministry and community service to instead fund her personal lifestyle. Our office is committed to seeking justice for the victims of this extensive financial crime.”
Church’s initial response to arrest
Pastor Forrest Jones addressed the congregation following the discovery of the theft.
“In October of 2024, the leadership of Amelia Baptist Church discovered evidence of financial irregularities,” Jones said. “The employee overseeing the financial operations of the church admitted to wrongdoing and her employment was terminated immediately.”
Jones said the church fully cooperated with investigators and confirmed no other members, employees or pastors were implicated.