A man who once guided spiritual life at Broad Street Church of Christ in LaGrange now faces felony theft charges after police say he took more than $200,000 from the church’s accounts.

⚖️ What Happened: Howard Lester, a former elder at the church, was arrested after LaGrange police issued a warrant for his capture. Investigators say Lester embezzled the money from the church’s business account while serving in leadership. He faces a second felony theft charge for allegedly taking more than $6,000 from a customer while working at Floors on Commerce, a flooring business in LaGrange, Georgia.

🔍 Between the Lines: The dual charges paint a pattern. One alleged theft happened in a house of worship where Lester held authority. The other happened in a retail setting where he was employed. B

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