Man accused of forging checks stolen from church | Crime

A Mountain View man is locked up, accused of forging and passing checks stolen from an area church.

On Friday, January 20, Brandon Elmo Massey, 24, was arrested on charges related to the December burglary of First Baptist Church in Big Flat.

According to Sheriff John Montgomery, sometime between December 11 and 14 someone broke into the church and stole a small safe containing a large amount of change, miscellaneous documents and a check book.

Since then 45 checks totaling $2,995 have been written on the church's account in several north Arkansas counties.  Investigators say the checks were made out to an auto parts store, as well as several restaurants and liquor stores.

Sheriff Montgomery says Massey was arrested in Bee Branch while trying to pass one of the stolen checks.  He says Massey admitted to Van Buren County investigators he had forged and cashed the checks; but, he denied breaking into the church.

Massey is currently being held in the Baxter County Detention Center on five counts of forgery in the second degree and five counts of theft of property.  His bond was set at $12,500.  Massey is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on February 16.

Photo provided by Baxter County Sheriff's Office.