Tony McElveen, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, North Carolina 2023

RALEIGH, NC – Tony McElveen, Sr., a man who held positions of trust as both a bank manager and a pastor, is facing serious time after pleading guilty today in federal court to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft. United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced the guilty plea before the Honorable Terrence W. Boyle, marking a significant step toward accountability for a particularly callous scheme.

The investigation revealed McElveen, while working as a BB&T branch manager in Rowland, North Carolina, systematically preyed on two elderly customers. He stole their personal identifiers to fraudulently obtain loans and credit cards, then brazenly used the ill-gotten gains for personal expenses – rental cars, a home security system, and getaways to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The greed didn’t stop there. McElveen also pilfered $50,000 from a certificate of deposit belonging to one of the victims, using the majority of the funds to cover his delinquent mortgage.

But the depth of McElveen’s deception is what truly sets this case apart. He attempted to conceal his criminal activity by exploiting his role as pastor for the Greater Faith World Outreach Church in Florence, South Carolina. McElveen deposited fraudulently obtained funds into the Church’s operating account and then used his authority to withdraw the money for his own benefit. He even created a BB&T account in the Church’s name, using it as another conduit for laundering the stolen funds. In a particularly egregious act, he fabricated a $28,500 “charitable donation” from one of the elderly victims to the Church’s building fund, effectively covering his tracks with a lie.

“This defendant’s crime is simply despicable,” stated Mr. Higdon. “Whether you see it as taking advantage of vulnerable, elderly individuals, whether it’s his effort to disguise his criminal activity by using his position as a bank officer, or whether he abused his role as a trusted pastor, Mr. McElveen’s actions are beyond horrible.” The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative underscores the commitment to combating elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams targeting seniors. Information on these efforts can be found at elderjustice.gov.

McElveen now faces a potential maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine for the Bank Fraud charge. Adding to that, he is subject to a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for Aggravated Identity Theft. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for the August 19, 2019 term of court before Chief Judge Boyle. Beyond imprisonment, McElveen will be required to provide full restitution to both BB&T and American Express for their losses.

The investigation into this sordid affair was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Susan Menzer skillfully represented the government in this case. This prosecution serves as a stark warning: those who exploit the vulnerable and abuse positions of trust will be held accountable, no matter how cleverly they attempt to hide their crimes.

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