NASSAU COUNTY, Fla — The former financial secretary for a Nassau County church is facing embezzlement charges after an investigation revealed more than $570,000 was stolen over five years, the sheriff’s office announced Thursday.

Melissa Ganey English, 44, was responsible for the financial records for Amelia Baptist Church for approximately 11 years, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigators said two new members of the church’s financial committee noticed discrepancies after reviewing bank records and found that funds were lower than they should have been.

They later discovered English had a church credit card issued directly to her and, between January 2019 to October 2024, she used thousands of dollars in church funds for personal expenses, according to investigators.

English was fired from her position, and the church hired a contractor to review financial transactions from 2019 to 2024. Investigators said the contractor uncovered several discrepancies and fraudulent charges.

The sheriff’s office said some of the English’s personal expenses included Amazon purchases, SeaWorld tickets, hotel stays, airline flights, cruise lines, concert tickets and a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.

The sheriff’s office said English embezzled nearly $40,000 from the church in 2019, and nearly $90,000 in 2020 through unauthorized payments, personal credit card payments and additional payroll payments to herself. 

An investigation revealed in the following years that English embezzled more than $100,000 in 2021, nearly $125,000 in 2022, and more than $123,000 in 2023, the sheriff’s office said.

In total, investigators said English embezzled more than $570,000 from the church.

“This is a significant breach of trust that has deeply impacted the church community,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. “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.”

A warrant for English’s arrest was issued on March 25, 2025, and she was detained in Baker County after the sheriff’s office posted her photo during “Wanted Wednesday.”

English is charged with grand theft over $100,000, a first-degree felony.