Former Alabama Pastor Sentenced to 5 Years for Stealing $400K from Church

Adrian Derrell Davis pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return after embezzling funds from All Nations Worship Assembly.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A former pastor in Alabama, Adrian Derrell Davis, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for embezzling over $400,000 from his church, All Nations Worship Assembly. Davis pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return after using church funds for personal expenses like cars, entertainment, and paying off credit cards.

Why it matters

This case highlights the breach of trust when religious leaders abuse their positions to steal from their congregations. It raises questions about oversight and accountability measures for churches and nonprofits to prevent such fraud from occurring.

The details

According to court records, Davis served as the lead pastor at All Nations Worship Assembly and was authorized to receive a salary and parsonage, but he used over $400,000 in church funds for unauthorized personal expenses. This included buying vehicles, paying a mortgage for his mother's home, and paying off personal credit cards. Davis also filed a false tax return in 2021, understating his income.

  • In October 2022, Davis pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
  • On February 20, 2026, Davis was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The players

Adrian Derrell Davis

A 42-year-old former lead pastor at All Nations Worship Assembly in Alabama who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return after embezzling over $400,000 from the church.

All Nations Worship Assembly

The Alabama church that Davis served as lead pastor and from which he embezzled over $400,000 in funds.

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What they’re saying

“'Davis betrayed his congregation when he abused his position of trust for personal gain. My office is committed to holding accountable individuals who violate positions of public trust.'”

— Prim F. Escalona, U.S. Attorney

“'Adrian Davis stole funds from his parishioners and filed false tax returns to conceal his crime. Agents are dedicated to ensuring that individuals who hold positions of trust within the community and use those positions to participate in fraudulent financial activities are held accountable.'”

— Kristen A. Yukness, IRS Criminal Investigation

What’s next

As part of his plea deal, Davis agreed to pay nearly $550,000 in total restitution, with over $434,000 going to All Nations Worship Assembly and over $114,000 to the IRS.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of strong financial controls and oversight within religious organizations to prevent abuse of trust and misappropriation of funds by those in leadership positions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences for clergy who violate the faith placed in them by their congregations.