A former pastor and his wife are facing criminal charges after Richland County investigators say they used more than $200,000 in church donations to pay for personal expenses.
Barry L. Spears, 54, and Jeri B. Spears, 64, turned themselves in on Tuesday, Sept. 29, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Barry Spears was the pastor of SonRise Baptist Church on Alpine Road, and Jeri Spears served as first lady.
How the case started
The investigation began on June 9, 2025, when a church member contacted the sheriff’s department. The member reported that Barry Spears had been taking donations through the church’s nonprofit status and using that money for his own bills.
Investigators say receipts and other records show the misuse of church money goes back to 2018.
Where the money went
According to the sheriff’s department, church funds were used to pay for a motorcycle, BMW car payments, vehicle insurance and other purchases that were never approved by the church.
An incident report also says investigators were told the money was used for family credit card bills and an overdue IRS tax bill tied to a pest control business Barry Spears once owned.
The couple were the only people listed on the church’s bank accounts during that time.
Church removed the couple
The church removed Barry Spears as pastor in May after a financial audit by the Hobbs Group, a Columbia accounting firm, found problems with how church money had been handled. In a statement on Facebook, church leaders said the audit uncovered unauthorized spending and a lack of financial oversight, and that they would fully cooperate with law enforcement.
The church has since changed its name to Hilltop Baptist Church.
Charges
Barry Spears is charged with:
- First-degree violation of the Computer Crime Act
- Forgery involving $10,000 or more
- Breach of trust with fraudulent intent
Jeri Spears is charged with obtaining goods under false pretenses involving $10,000 or more.
Both were booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and released on personal recognizance bonds, which means they did not have to pay money to get out of jail.
The couple are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
Sources: Richland County Sheriff’s Department; The State; WIS / Live 5 News; WACH / ABC News 4