Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $144k From a Montgomery Masons Chapter

       Montgomery, Alabama–   Arthur Lee Campbell, III (55), from Mount Hope, Ohio, pled guilty to a charge of bank theft, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.  At the time of the charge, Campbell was residing in Autauga County, Alabama.

       The charges stemmed from an investigation that revealed Campbell stole approximately $144,700.00 belonging to the Montgomery Chapter #22 of the Royal Arch Masons of the State of Alabama.   According to court documents, Campbell was serving as Secretary for the organization and he was authorized to handle the financial affairs of the Chapter.  After being entrusted with this authority, Campbell began stealing the funds. 

       Evidence shows that he made two cash withdrawals that totaled around $8684.00, and deposited two checks written from the Chapter’s account into his own personal bank account that together totaled $136,000.00.  Additional evidence indicated that Campbell used the money to pay personal expenses and obligations associated with his gambling activities.

       The maximum punishment for this charge is 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and restitution to the victim.  Sentencing is scheduled for February 17, 2017.

       This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Randolph Neeley and Curtis Ivy, Jr.