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HOLLAND, Mich. -- A Holland pastor will serve two years of probation after being sentenced for embezzling over $100,000 from his own church.
Trenton Herald, 37, received his sentence on Monday (February 10) in Ottawa County's 20th Circuit Court in Grand Haven. Judge Jon Hulsing ordered the 24-month probation term after Herald entered a no-contest plea to a charge of embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000 from a nonprofit entity.
Herald and his wife Jessica, who serve as co-pastors of City Hill Church in Holland, were accused of using church funds for various personal expenses. The couple has led the church since its founding in 2019.
Despite the allegations that the embezzled amount exceeded $100,000, Herald's sentence includes no jail time and no restitution requirement, a decision that has reportedly caused divided reactions among church members.
Jessica Herald also faces legal consequences for her role in the financial misconduct. She previously entered a no-contest plea to a lesser misdemeanor embezzlement charge of taking under $1,000. Her sentencing is scheduled for Thursday (February 13) at the 58th District Court in Holland.
Despite the legal proceedings, the couple continues to serve as pastors at City Hill Church, where the funds they allegedly misused came from collection offerings and other donations from church members.