The DeKalb County teacher accused of killing his boyfriend, then dying in a crash while fleeing was already in trouble with police. Roy McClendon-Thompson was arrested three weeks ago for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from his church, according to an Atlanta police report.

McClendon-Thompson, 42, taught social studies at McNair High School and previously worked part-time as a chief financial officer for Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta. Last year, a church secretary reported to police that between November 2015 and last April, McClendon-Thompson made multiple withdrawals from the church account and deposited the money into personal accounts, the police report states.

RELATED: Dunwoody man told police DeKalb teacher threatened him

ALSO:  Man accused of killing Dunwoody resident dies in Clayton crash

The amount McClendon-Thompson allegedly embezzled from the church totaled $103,843.30, the church secretary told police. An arrest warrant was later issued for McClendon-Thompson charging him with theft by taking and financial transaction card theft.

Gerald Griggs, McClendon-Thompson’s close friend and attorney, told WSB Radio that the teacher did not steal the money. Griggs said bank statements would show McClendon-Thompson was innocent.

McClendon-Thompson was booked into the Fulton County jail March 21, records showed, and was released two days later after posting $15,000 bond. He had a court appearance Friday.

But on Monday, McClendon-Thompson allegedly drove to the Dunwoody apartment complex where a man he had been dating lived. In the parking deck, he shot and killed James Curtis Jones, according to Dunwoody police. Jones was 45.

Investigators identified McClendon-Thompson as the suspect and went to his Ellenwood home. But he allegedly fled, and in Clayton County, he was killed in a head-on crash, investigators said.

Roy McClendon-Thompson was a popular teacher at McNair High School.

About the Author

Featured

Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Georgia State University’s convocation center in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Abrams is at the center of speculation over whether she will mount a third campaign for governor. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC