Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County man who was fired this past summer as pastor of a St. Leonard church and the woman who served as his secretary and bookkeeper both have a tentative hearing date set in District Court. According to online documents, both Michael Shawn Holcomb, 41; and Rayanne Carson, 34, both of St. Leonard are each charged with theft $10,000 to under $100,000; theft scheme $10,000 to under $100,000, and embezzle/misappropriate. The charges carry a total of 35 years in jail and $30,000 in fines. The charges were filed by Robert W. Lee Sr. on behalf of Crossroad Christian Inc.
A hearing on the matter is tentatively set for Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. Both Holcomb and Carson are being represented by John J. Pikulski IV, an Upper Marlboro-based private attorney. When contacted this week by TheBayNet.com, Pikulski declined to comment on the case.
In the application for statement of charges against Carson, Lee stated the accused was an employee and a volunteer of Crossroad Christian Church. “She served as the bookkeeper,” Lee stated. “In September 2016, we obtained bank records that showed numerous purchases that were not authorized by church leadership—the elders. These funds were used for her personal benefit. The use included groceries, cell phones, [youth football] registration, meals and other items of personal enjoyment. Along with former Pastor Michael Holcomb, she purchased kitchen appliances on credit through Lowes. She charged cell phones and all services for herself, Mr. Holcomb and their family members. These were all put in the church’s name. Eleven cell phones were put on this plan personally and two were for the church. The church is held liable for the sum of $5,108.26 through AT&T.”
Lee added that the total sum of debit, online transfers and purchases is estimated to be $12,604.95 and with the AT&T bill totals $17,713.21.
“In an effort to hide these purchases, Ms. Carson, with Mr. Holcomb, denied access and closed all the church bank accounts at PNC in Prince Frederick,” Lee stated in court documents. “Ms. Carson deleted and erased all bank files from Quick Books. No tax records can be found. Ms. Carson also closed all church email accounts. She refused to hand over church property—laptops, thumb drives and records.”
Holcomb was officially terminated as pastor of Crossroad Christian Church on Aug. 27. Carson’s employment with the church ended in July, according to Lee.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com