A former Columbia pastor is going to prison for embezzling more than $200,000 from his congregation.
Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Charles Ledford on Thursday to five years in prison and five years of probation, according to the office of 5th Circuit Solicitor Dan Johnson. Ledford also must repay $50,000 to his victims; he already has paid $30,000.
Ledford in October pleaded guilty to breach of trust, forgery and bank fraud for his embezzlement of $253,827.46 from Elmwood Avenue Church of God over a 10 year period, during which he served as pastor of this congregation.
