Pastor Indicted, Church Defends
Alabama Pastor Indicted on Felony Theft Charges; Congregation Maintains Support
Scott Willmore, the senior pastor of The Word Community Church in Northport, Alabama, has been indicted on a felony theft charge. AL.com reported that a Tuscaloosa County Grand Jury found enough evidence to charge him with first-degree theft of property, which requires a stolen amount of at least $2,500. Willmore turned himself in on June 8, 2026, and was released about 90 minutes later after posting a $30,000 bond.
Despite the indictment, the church's Elder Board is standing firmly behind their pastor. Elders have called the accusations the work of "disgruntled former members" and confirmed Willmore will stay in the pulpit. "He is still preaching on Sunday. We are not removing him," elder Dale Lester told WIAT.
Grand Jury Indicts Pastor After Months-Long Probe
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office launched the investigation in early 2026 after specific congregation members reported concerns about church money. Tuscaloosa Patch reported that TCSO investigators spent several months reviewing financial records and interviewing church-affiliated individuals before presenting their findings to a grand jury.
A grand jury indictment is a higher bar than a simple arrest. It means a panel of citizens reviewed the evidence and agreed a trial is warranted. Sgt. Josh Hastings of the TCSO confirmed the probe focused on specific "questions about spending," according to AL.com. Under Alabama law, first-degree theft is a Class B felony. A conviction carries a prison sentence of 2 to 20 years.
Church Claims Internal Audit Already Cleared Willmore
Before law enforcement got involved, the WCC Elder Board ran its own audit. Elder Dale Lester told WIAT that he personally reviewed five years of the church's financial records — including profit and loss statements — and found no "frivolous or excessive" charges. The board concluded there was no wrongdoing.
Lester and fellow elders Bob Hale, Freddie Hammond, Willie Ball, Ronnie Brasher, and Ben Workman all issued statements of "total support" for Willmore. The board also insisted that Willmore cannot access church funds alone — formal approval is required for any transaction, according to WPXI.
Church Calls Accusers Outsiders, Not Its Own Members
Church leadership has been clear: this fight did not start inside the congregation. The Elder Board told reporters the complaints came from people no longer affiliated with the ministry. Tuscaloosa Thread noted that the elders framed the legal action as an outside attack rather than an internal dispute.
The local community in Northport remains split. Some congregants expressed "complete shock" on social media. Others echoed the elders' view that Willmore is being "persecuted." By keeping him in the pulpit, the Elder Board has tied the church's future directly to how the trial goes.
What Comes Next: Arraignment, Discovery, and High Stakes
Willmore faces an upcoming arraignment. Once the discovery process begins, the church may be forced to hand over the same financial records the elders say clear him. Those records could become public, opening the church's internal finances to outside scrutiny for the first time.
WPXI noted that the case could also draw attention from the IRS or state tax authorities over the church's nonprofit status, even if Willmore is ultimately found not guilty. Legal analysts point out that the grand jury's decision — after a months-long financial audit — suggests investigators believe a clear paper trail exists.
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