Muscle Shoals preacher and former co-worker indicted for fraudulent use of credit card

Christopher Wayne Barnett (Photo: LCDC)

FLORENCE-(SHOALS INSIDER)- The pastor at Bridgeway Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals and a former co-worker have been indicted by a Lauderdale county grand jury for fraudulent use of a credit card.

Authorities tell the Shoals Insider, 44-year-old Christopher Wayne Barnett, of 2017 Oak Drive, Muscle Shoals, has been indicted after allegations were made that he used a Bank Independent Credit Card from his former employer, Lee Heights Baptist Church in Florence.

Barnett, who pastors Bridgeway Baptist on Avalon Avenue, is being represented by Florence attorney Ralph Holt.

Holt says church members are “supportive” and “behind Pastor Chris as he goes through this,”

The indictment states Barnett used, “the Bank Independent credit card belonging to Lee Heights Baptist Church for the purpose of obtaining property, services or money,” and “with the knowledge that he was unauthorized to use it,”

Authorities say the alleged incidents occurred from 2010 until 2014, while Barnett pastored at Lee Heights.

Also charged was Barnett’s former co-worker Carolyn Reed Ivy, 64, of West Cleveland Avenue, Florence.  Ivy was the church secretary when Barnett was employed by Lee Heights Baptist Church. She is also charged with fraudulently using the church credit card.

Carolyn Reed Ivy (Photo: LCDC)

The two surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and posted a $1,000 bond each.

Barnett and Ivy are set to be in court on February 23 for arraignment in front of Presiding Circuit Judge Mike T. Jones.

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