MSP Princess Anne Barrack

On 11/30/15 Troopers from the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack Criminal Enforcement Division began a theft investigation involving Quindocqua United Methodist Church located on LQ Powell Road, Marion, MD. The church was notified by PNC Bank that its account was in the negative. Investigators were informed that James Franklin Powell was the church treasurer and had maintained that position since 2004. PNC Bank supplied the church with several copies of checks that were written to James Powell for several thousand dollars. Powell denied writing the checks and was the only person in possession of the church’s checkbook.

Subpoenas were issued for the church’s PNC Bank records. A review of those records showed over 23 fraudulent transactions were made off of the church’s bank account between April 3, 2015 and November 13, 2015, totaling a loss of $16,972 dollars. Video surveillance was also obtained which showed James Powell cashing several of the church’s checks that were made out to him for several thousand dollars. Further review of the church’s bank account showed that Powell had made numerous payments to his Chase Visa Credit Card and American Express Credit Card. Powell later confessed to stealing the money from the church.

Powell was charged on December 24th, 2015 and charged with embezzlement, theft, theft scheme and other related criminal charges.