The federal sentencing for 58-year-old Terry Hall of Norris City, originally scheduled for July 22nd has been rescheduled to November 10th. Hall, the former lead pastor at Turning Point Church of God in McLeansboro, had been set to appear in federal court in Benton Tuesday, but court documents show that the Assistant U.S. Attorney requested a continuance.
Hall previously pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of making false statements, and one count of providing false documents. According to the indictment, Hall exploited his position to defraud the government of $199,900 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020.
Hall applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). On July 28, 2020, the SBA disbursed $92,900 directly to Hall’s personal bank account. After requesting a modified loan increase in 2021, Hall received an additional $107,000 in May 2022, which he allegedly had the church wire to his personal account.
The indictment states Hall knew he would use the funds personally, rather than to support the church or mitigate pandemic-related economic harm. Prosecutors say Hall spent the money on luxury vacations to Africa, bear hunts in Maine, vehicles, a personal building, and more, leaving significant financial strain on the church, which served roughly 250 members.