Former Pastor Sentenced for Stealing $200K from CA Church
Assistant pastor stole the money as church’s founding pastor was on his deathbed
Authorities have sentenced a former assistant pastor at New Progressive Christian Baptist Church in Oxnard, California, to two years in state prison for stealing $200,000 from the congregation while its beloved founder was on his deathbed.
New Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Oxnard, California / Insert of Founding Pastor, The Rev. Jesse James Taylor
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Curtis Frank Lemons, 68, is charged with misappropriating the funds in December 2020 by issuing himself a $200,000 cashier’s check from a church bank account. Authorities say Lemons then moved from Camarillo, California, to Atoka, Tennessee, using the stolen money to purchase airline tickets, a new car, a phone, dental work, and real estate between January and April 2021.
The theft took place during an already painful period for the tight-knit Baptist community.
Members were navigating the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, all while grieving the decline of their founder, the Rev. Jesse James Taylor.
“Mr. Lemons stole from a vulnerable victim at a vulnerable time,” said Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise. “The patriarch of the church was near death when this happened. Mr. Lemons made a terrible decision but has accepted responsibility for his significant theft.”
Rev. Taylor, affectionately known as “Uncle Rev.,” founded the church with his wife, Lura Dell Taylor, in 1963. He passed away in August 2021 at the age of 87.
The Oxnard Police Department began investigating after a church member reported the theft. Lemons initially claimed he had donated the money to charity, but financial records later proved he spent the funds on personal expenses.
Lemons previously pleaded guilty on April 4, 2025, to three felony counts: two for grand theft and one for money laundering. Along with the command to serve two years in state prison, the sentence orders Lemons to pay $200,000 in restitution to the church.
When contacted by MinistryWatch, New Progressive’s current pastor, Rev. Lamont L. Hayes, said the church does not have any comments at this time.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.
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