A 59-year-old Alabama woman has been sentenced to federal prison after authorities say she stole nearly $90,000 from her church.

Carmen Ramer Davis, of Opp, was sentence to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of wire fraud, according to a Friday announcement by Middle District of Alabama U.S. Sandra Stewart.

The judge also ordered Davis to serve one year of supervised release once her prison term is complete.

Davis in 2006, according to court records and testimony, open court, was appointed by the Brooklyn Congregational Methodist Church in Coffee County to serve as its secretary.

As the church secretary, Davis had authority to pay bills and expenses incurred by the church and had access to the church’s bank accounts. She eventually obtained a debit card associated with the church’s bank account without the church’s knowledge.

Authorities said Davis began using the card to make fraudulent cash withdrawals at ATMs and to purchase personal items at various retailers.

She also fraudulently wrote checks from the church’s bank account to herself or made them out to cash.

Davis did not make the withdrawals and purchases with the knowledge or consent of the church, nor were they for the church’s benefit.

Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that Davis used some of the illicit proceeds for trips to casinos in Mississippi and Alabama.

The fraudulent activity was not discovered until August 2019, when a church leader received a letter from the church’s bank indicating there were insufficient funds to cover a $75.00 check written against the church’s account.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing for Davis, the judge determined that from July 2008 until July 2019, Davis defrauded the church of $89,440.32. The judge ordered Davis to pay restitution to the church in that amount.

Soon after the church leaders discovered Davis’s fraud, the Brooklyn Congregational Methodist Church closed due to financial hardship and has not reopened.

“The crimes committed by Ms. Davis victimized an entire faith community,” Stewart said. “The harm will continue to be felt for quite some time. I am hopeful that the sentence imposed will deter others from engaging in such deceitful conduct.”

The FBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted.

“The actions of the defendant significantly damaged not only the church, but also the community at large,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “I am proud of the work by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office to hold Davis accountable for her actions and work toward repairing the public’s trust.”