Lubbock police arrested a 72-year-old man Friday in connection with an embezzlement investigation at a church where he started working part time as a bookkeeper then worked on a voluntary basis for two years.

Ronald Massey was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on a second-degree felony count of theft between $20,000 and $100,000. The charge is typically a third-degree felony; however, because Massey is accused of stealing from a nonprofit entity, the crime is enhanced one felony level. Second-degree felonies carry a punishment of two to 20 years in prison.

Police investigators believe Massey stole more than $90,000 from the Metropolitan Community Church and moved money from the church’s five bank accounts to hide his theft from the church’s board members, according to an arrest warrant released Aug. 14.

Church board members called police in April after Massey reportedly sent the members a letter of apology, admitting to the theft of $80,000 from the church’s bank account. However, an audit of the bank’s accounts shows he allegedly stole about $90,600, according to an arrest warrant.

A board member told investigators the group asked Massey in February about a bounced check and he reportedly provided them with a bank statement that showed everything was in order, the warrant states.

After Massey allegedly confessed, a board member audited the church’s bank accounts and saw payments for Massey’s vehicle and electric bill, according to police. Board members also reportedly found handwritten notes from him and bank statements that indicated he tried to balance the church’s accounts after stealing the money.

The warrant states Massey is a registered sex offender but was not prohibited from being around children. A board member told police she was aware of Massey’s record and said he did not work with children at the church.

Jail records show he was released Monday on bond, which was set at $15,000.