A pastor in Harford County, Maryland, near Baltimore, has been charged with stealing $135,000 from the church he led.
First Baptist Church in Bel Air / Insert of Daniel Champ (Video screenshot)
Daniel Champ, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bel Air, allegedly began stealing funds in January 2019 and continued until the theft was discovered in 2024.
Last October, church officials began noticing missing money and suspicious bank charges for items like DoorDash, PayPal, and sports betting, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office told WJZ News.
A member of the church, who didn’t want to be identified, told WJZ News the church still has not addressed the crime.
“I was very disappointed that they didn’t come out honestly and tell us what was happening, why they weren’t forthcoming and honest,” the church member said. “Because money goes to that church, that’s the people’s money. And why weren’t they honest? Why didn’t they just tell people?”
The sheriff’s office said Champ has been removed from the church accounts and has been ordered to move from the residence on church property within 60 days.
According to court documents, a five-count criminal indictment was filed against Champ on April 1. The charges include theft of greater than $100,000 and embezzlement. Four of the charges are felonies.
If Champ is found guilty of the charge of theft of greater than $100,000 in property, it carries a penalty of “imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both;” and the criminal “shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.”
A $15,000 unsecured personal bond was posted on Champ’s behalf on April 11.
His initial appearance in court is scheduled for May 19.
According to a social media post on February 25 about the church seeking a new pastor, First Baptist Church has attendance of about 20 and is an Independent Baptist church that uses the King James Version.
The church could not immediately be reached for comment before the time of publication.
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