Really Weird – Church Crime Information

Most entries on these pages only contain arrests, charges, or indictments, which may eventually be reduced, dropped, or expunged, and as such, these actors may in fact be innocent in a court of law. These are just a few of the really weird incidents we have identified. There are many more to be uploaded, so please check back.

Click on the link to read the report.

Exorcism

These are not all the exorcisms performed, but those for which an arrest was made during criminal behavior as part of the ritual.

2019 – William Weaver (minister) “renounced the jurisdiction of the Elizabeth Presbytery” one day before his church trial, thereby surrendering his ordination. Linden Presbyterian Church, Linden, NJ. Longtime Linden minister used oral sex in exorcism ritual, men claim.
2019 – Pablo Martinez arrested for allegedly trying to “exorcise a demon” from his six-year-old son. The mother agreed the boy to be possessed. The suspect allegedly “poured hot water down the boy’s throat.” Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation, AZ. Arizona boy dead after man attempted exorcism to get ‘demon’ out of him, officials say.
2019 – Common Bond Christian Fellowship Ministries, Hazard, KY. Sharon Lindon & Hampton Inn were charged in court with religious discrimination. Lindon, his workplace supervisor accused him of having a demon and pressured him to get an exorcism. Kentucky man claims employer punished him for refusing to undergo exorcism.
2018 – Brittany Jones and her younger sister performed an unwanted exorcism on a woman they believed was possessed. Charges included assault and kidnapping. Columbia, SC. Woman arrested for executing an exorcism, charged with kidnapping and assault.
2017 – Unidentified nurse at a county jail in Oklahoma attempted an exorcism of a seizing inmate, led to the inmate’s death. Oklahoma nurse allegedly tried to conduct exorcism on inmate who later died.
2016 – Juantia Gomez convicted of killing her daughter (crucifix down throat), Oklahoma City, OK – She forced a crucifix down her ‘possessed’ daughter’s throat. Now, she’s convicted of murder
2015 – Iglesia Internacional Jesus es el Rey (starvation death), Balch Springs, TX – Pastor who starved toddler to death to exorcise demon gets 99 years in prison
2014 – Zakieya L. Avery charged with killing two and wounding two (stabbed), Germantown, PA – Police: Maryland mom kills 2 of her children during attempted exorcism
2013 – Guzman-Rodriguez (church elder) sentenced for the murder of his toddler daughter of whom he was attempting to exorcise a demon. He was convicted of breaking her ribs, “abrasions, contusions on a lung, and hemorrhaging.” The girl died of manual strangulation. Exorcism Gone Wrong? Woman Goes Into Cardiac Arrest During Ritual.
2008 – Blaine Keith Milam (possible strangulation), Conroe, TX – Conroe jury hears horrific details of injuries to slain baby
2007 – Eddie Useyugi arrested for physical battery of autistic child (Cherry Hill Christian Church), Paoli, IN – Orange County man arrested for battery during exorcism
2003 – Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, Milwaukee, WI – Autistic boy dies during exorcism

Oddities

We can argue all day about what counts as a “church” or not, and of course drugs were often involved.

2023 – Elevated Life International Ministries, High Point, NC. Dwayne Waden (pastor) attempted “to baptize a McDonald’s cook in hot oil.” The pastor came to the workplace in defense of his wife who was in training there because she had felt disrespected. He is alleged to have jumped the counter and grabbed the neck of the aggrieving party and tried to shove them into the deep fat fryer. The pastor was charged with “assault and battery.” Pastor Has Unbelievable McDonald’s Meltdown — Then Gets Arrested.
2023 – Harvest Bible Chapel, Coronado, CA. James Macdonald (former pastor) was arrested for assault and battery after attacking an elder woman. The pastor had been attempting to parallel park when he struck the victim’s car. He then proceeded to confront the victim driver, allegedly causing “serious bodily injury.” The pastor had been terminated from pastorship prior in an unrelated case evidencing an angry and vengeful disposition. Disgraced former pastor of Rolling Meadows church is charged with assault in California.
2023 – The Rock Church, St. Petersburg, FL. Robert Dell (pastor) was charged with “organizing a crime ring” to steal merchandise from a Home Depot lumberyard store. The recent loss was estimated at about 1.4 million, but it was estimated it occurred over several years amounting to an approximate $5 million. The pastor’s wife and mother were also charged. Pastor ran theft ring that stole at least $1.4M from Home Depot, Florida officials say.
2022 – Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Akron, OH. Shawnte Hardin (senior pastor) was arrested and charged with mishandling of deceased human remains that were located on church property. He was also charged with operating a funeral business illegally and without a license. A total of 37 indictments were approved by a grand jury. Cremated remains of 90 people found in Ohio church where pastor was arrested for mishandling dead bodies.
2020 – Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, Bradenton, FL. Mark Grenon (archbishop) was arrested for selling “bleach as a ‘miracle cure’ for Covid-19.” Charges came down via federal authorities. Bleach has never been approved for medical treatment of any kind. ‘Archbishop’ of Florida church selling bleach ‘miracle cure’ arrested with son.
2020 – Saints Peter and Paul Church, Pearl River, LA. Travis Clark (pastor) was arrested on charges of obscenity for having sex with two women on the church altar. The witness videotaped the event which consisted of the women “dressed in corsets and high-heeled boots. There were sex toys and stage lighting. And a mobile phone as well as a separate camera were mounted on tripods, recording it all.” Priest recorded having group sex on altar of Pearl River church, police say; 3 arrested.
2020 – St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Seattle, WA. “Local church and neighbors are concerned at the recent rise in incidents of illegal dumping of large items such as furniture.” The problem is compounded because, “the church, which operates entirely upon the donations of parishioners, incurs the costs in time and money, to dispose of these item” [sic]. West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen Black Forester; Another Audi-theft Attempt; Illegal Dumping Plagues Church.
2020 – Grace Chapel Church, Cullman, AL. The church was burglarized by Batman (or someone wearing his mask). A large rock was used to smash a church window in an effort to steal equipment valued at $16,000. It included a “guitar, keyboard and computer equipment.” Simultaneously, the security cameras weren’t working. Suspect wearing Batman mask accused of stealing thousands of dollars in church equipment.
2019 – Grateful Life Community Church, Huntsville, AL. Calvin Bledsoe (church client) was arrested in church parking lot by bounty hunters. He allegedly missed his bond hearing. He apparently was homeless and just leaving the church’s warming facility when he was arrested. ‘I was just doing my job’: Parishioners frustrated over bounty hunter arrest at Huntsville church.
2019 – Salvation Army, Latham, NY. Edward Agrusti (employee/volunteer) dressed as Santa Claus was arrested for an outstanding warrant for soliciting prostitution. Man dressed as Santa for Salvation Army arrested on prior patronizing prostitution charges.
2019 – Unidentified church, Chattanooga, TN. Daniel Wilkey (sheriff’s deputy) is being sued in a court of law for allegedly forcing a ritual baptism of a young girl he pulled over. He offered a baptism in leu of charges, an act not sanctioned by the court. The officer stripped down to his underwear, but she refused to strip. The ritual was carried out in a nearby lake, with another officer watching on. 1) Lawsuit: Deputy groped woman, forced her into ‘baptism’. 2) Tennessee Deputy Sued Twice In The Same Day Over A Roadside Anal Search And A Forced Baptism.
2019 – Kodjovi Adande (citizen) “arrested for walking into a church service naked.” He is a repeated recidivist. Victims included adults and children. PHX PD: Man arrested after walking into church service naked.
2019 – Cornerstone Bible Baptist Church, Worcester, MA. Joseph Rizzuti (pastor) was arrested on charges of interfering with a child custody case. Police tazed the pastor and charged him with “disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, interfering with a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.” It is alleged the pastor threw a door open abruptly, striking one of the officers, called the officers tyrants, and was trying to intervene on the victim’s behalf by preventing police from taking custody of the child from her mother. Police shock preacher with a stun gun amid struggle at Worcester church.
2019 – Stonebridge Church, Marietta, GA. Ligon Durham (elderly homeless man) posed as a parking lot attendant and asked people to pay $5.00 to park. When one man refused, he discharged a shot with his pellet gun. Man arrested after impersonating parking attendant, firing pellet gun, police say.
2019 – Harvest Bible Chapel, Aurora, IL. Paxton D. Singer (youth pastor) was “involuntarily terminated for cause.” He was also arrested and charged with “enticing a minor to remove clothing. It is alleged he solicited nude photos of an underaged male victim. The youth minister has formerly condemned homosexuality. He was found not guilty of child exploitation, but guilty of disorderly conduct, though a new trial has been granted. Youth Minister at Anti-Gay Church in Illinois Charged With Sexually Exploiting Teen Boy.
2019 – H.I.S. Frontline Ministry, Gastonia, NC. A man stripped all his clothes off inside a church. He punched a parishioner and grabbed the pastor. Upon arrival of police the man spit on one officer and tried to bite another. Police: Man gets naked at Gastonia church, punches churchgoer.
2019 – Salvation Army, York, PA. Immediately following the Celebration of Life for Samuel Claude Abreght, the urn containing his ashes were stolen from the site. The urn was left on a chapel table as congregants went into a community room for a reception. That’s when the urn apparently disappeared. ‘It’s so sick!’ Urn with man’s cremains stolen after celebration of life at Salvation Army.
2019 – Church of Safe Injection, Auburn, ME. Jesse Harvey (founder) distributes sterile needles to drug addicts. There was a police presence at the church event to distribute the needles resulting in no one attending. Police Threaten To Arrest Church Of Safe Injection Officials Over Needle Exchange.
2019 – Holy Rosary Church, Contra Costa County, CA. Man arrested in violent struggle was buck naked. Antioch Police Arrest Naked Man Running Around Church Parking Lot, Chapel.
2019 – Servant’s Heart Disaster Relief, St. Augustine, FL. Frederic Sterry Smith (pastor) arrested for battery that is alleged to have involved touching a manager’s breasts. The pastor is allegedly anti-gay and when confronted for leaving a written anti-gay remark on the bill, snatched the bill, ripped it up and shoved it down the manager’s blouse. Anti-Gay FL Pastor Arrested After Shoving Hand Down Restaurant Manager’s Blouse.
2018 – Spirit of Life Church, Mandan, ND. Zachary Burdick (Christian Mormon) was arrested after he stripped naked and then climbed into a large fount of holy water during mass. He then marched up the isle while masturbating himself. He was charged with “criminal mischief, indecent exposure and ingestion of a controlled substance other than marijuana.” Man arrested after he masturbates, dips butt in church’s holy water.
2018 – All Nations Evangelistic Team, Christmas, FL. Walter Eugene Brazington Jr. (pastor) was arrested along with “an HIV-positive prostitute” for operating a “White Supremacist Prostitution Ring.” The ring was run out of a shopping mall under the guise of a massage business. Pastor Busted Running White Supremacist Prostitution Ring.
2018 – St. Mary’s of the Assumption, Cleveland, OH. John Kumse (pastor) was ambushed for robbery while collecting eggs from a church chicken coop. Two teens, both gang members who were lying in wait, were charged with attempted murder as they fired several shots while demanding the eggs. Teen duo charged as adults with attempted murder of Cleveland priest.
2018 – St. Mark United Methodist Church, Cleburne, TX. An unidentified man was arrested charged with trespassing at a Festival of Lights church fundraiser because he insisted on yelling into a bullhorn that “Santa Clause is not real!” Man Protesting Santa Claus Arrested for Trespassing at Cleburne Church After Telling Children He is ‘Not Real’.
2018 – David Bullock (pastor) arrested for interfering with police, Highland Park, MI – Arrest of Rev. Bullock outside church investigated in Highland Park.
2018 – Stalking, World Mission Society Church of God, Bergen County, NJ – Are Bergen County ‘Mother Of God’ Warnings Based On Fact Or Fiction?
2018 – Robert Ussery & Jodi Mann (white supremacists) arrested, harassing and threatening a pastor whose daughter was killed in church shooting, terroristic threats, and drug possession. Suspects espouse conspiracy theory that church shooting never happened and is government propaganda. First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, TX – Two arrested for harassing Texas pastor whose daughter was killed in mass shooting.
2018 – Robert Batcho (pastor) charged with giving beer to minors. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Elmira Heights, NY – Elmira Heights pastor allegedly provided alcohol to minors.
2017 – Amy Denise Herron & Shannon Wayne Harwood arrested for stealing two bags of candy, Forks of Ivy Baptist Church, Weaverville, NC – Warrants: 2 arrested in candy theft from church.
2017 – Gregory Bolusan (pastor) arrested for gun robbery of casino. Henderson, NV – Local pastor accused of robbing M Casino 3 times.
2016 – St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC. Kendra Stocks (mother) was arrested for contempt in an unlawful forced baptism, thereby defying a judge’s order. Charlotte mom who ignored judge and had daughter baptized begins week behind bars.
2016 – Creekside Church of Christ, Midlothian, TX. Terri Bevers (fitness instructor) was murdered by stabbing in the early morning hours inside a church. Her killer was lying in wait dressed as a police SWAT officer. Woman in SWAT Could Have Murdered Fitness Instructor Mom in Church.
2015 – Unidentified church, FL. Corey Jones (church musician) was shot several times by a police officer in what a grand jury ruled as unjustified. Some of the shots were described as “slow and deliberate.” The victim died, a fact obtained from an audio recording of the incident. Former Florida police officer who fatally shot church musician Corey Jones arrested, charged with manslaughter, attempted murder.
2015 – Sieon Roberts (pastor) arrested for trying to bring a loaded gun through TSA check line. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Gary, IN – Gary pastor arrested for attempting to bring a gun through TSA at Midway Airport. In 2014, over 2,000 people attempted to “board planes with loaded guns” (ABC-7, 2015).
2014 – Luckner Lorient (pastor) arrested for building violations that led to death and injury from a fire. Eglise Baptist Clarte Celeste, Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn pastor, once honored by N.Y. State Senate, arrested for role in deadly 2014 fire.
2014 – New Beginning Ministries, Warsaw, OH. Bill Dunfee (pastor) and another church member were arrested for trespassing at a nearby strip club where a couple dozen of church members had been protesting. The protests had been ongoing for months and neighbors were fed up with the protesters since they, not the strippers, were disruptive of the neighborhood. Church protests after pastor arrested at strip club.
2014 – First-Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln, NE. A naked transient man stripped all his clothes off to pray and was cited by police for indecent exposure. Police: Naked man arrested in church disrobed to pray.
2013 – Set Free Christian Ministry, Colorado Springs, CO. Michael Abromovich (pastor) “arrested and charged with posing as a U.S. marshal, kidnapping, and robbery after. He allegedly arranged a meet-up with a gay man for casual sex via Craigslist, but then proceeded to pose as a member of law enforcement, taking the gay man’s possessions such as his laptop and cell phone.” Colo. Pastor Charged With Impersonating Police, Robbery and Kidnapping After Propositioning Men on Craigslist.
2013 – Terry Jones (pastor) and Marvin Sapp Jr. (associate pastor) were arrested for unlawful conveyance of fuel as they prepared to burn nearly 3,000 copies of the Quran. Dove World Outreach Center, Mulberry, FL – Pastor arrested before burning Qurans.
2012, 2013 – Matt Pitt (youth pastor) arrested twice for flashing blue lights, or identifying himself with a badge as a law-enforcement officer. The Basement (Church), Birmingham, AL – When the Popular Youth Pastor Gets Arrested Again.
2012 – Walter McGill (pastor) arrested for ignoring court order about trademark infringement. Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church, Guise, TN – Pastor Arrested Amidst Church Naming Controversy.
2012 – Church of the End Times, Uxbridge, MA. David Stanley (pastor) was arrested on charges he resisted arrest and disturbed the peace. This church is described as an alleged cult. Seven under-aged female were removed from the house by police. Accusations included “brainwashing, rituals, and worse.” The pastor and his brother can be found engaging in exorcisms in videos uploaded to YouTube. Leaders Of Controversial Uxbridge Church Arrested.
2009 – Church of Universal Love and Music, raid of “Funk Fest,” Bullskin Township, PA – Fayette County on trial over drug raid on music church.
2007 – Faith Baptist Church, Waterford, MI. Uniformed police entered the church and threatened the church’s band with disorderly conduct for excessive sound. No arrests were made. Police received more than 10 “written complaints about the noise.” One of the complainants also filed a claim in federal court against the church. The church filed a federal lawsuit in retaliation against the city of Waterford. It was later dismissed in Federal Court. 1) Police Call Church Music ‘Disorderly’. 2) Judge dismisses federal lawsuit over volume of church music in Waterford.
2005 – Hosanna Church, Ponchatoula, LA. Louis Lamonica Jr. (pastor) confessed to “sex with at least two boys, from the time they were 4 until they were 12 or 13, as well as having sex with a dog.” Sex Charges Follow a Church’s Collapse.
1996 – Central Fellowship Baptist Church, Lake Helen, FL. Lamar Breedlove (pastor) is being sued in a court of law for allegedly intentionally forcing baptism upon two young children, without the consent of their parents. Citing ‘Forced Baptism,’ 8-Year-Old Sues Lake Helen Church.
1996 – Central Fellowship Baptist Church, Lake Helen, FL. Lawsuit filed on behalf of a girl, age 8, who was forcibly baptized. Lamar Breedlove (pastor) is alleged to have intentionally baptized the girl without parental consent, and against the wishes of the parents. Citing ‘Forced Baptism,’ 8-year-old Sues Lake Helen Church.
1996 – Prince of Peace Disciples Church/Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, NY. Three members of one church confronted members of the other. “In front of the Prince of Peace church, the pastor’s three sons then took out guns and fired at the parishioners, one of whom died.” The shooter was believed to be the son of one of the pastors. 2 Churches, A Rivalry, And a Killing.
1995 – Elim International Fellowship Church, New York, NY. Curtis Douglass (pastor) arrested on charges of “harassment, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration.” He allegedly got into it with police who were “ticketing cars outside his church.” Brooklyn Churchgoers Protest Pastor’s Arrest in Ticket Dispute.
1971 – Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, MN; Covenant Pines Bible Camp, Inc. Albert C. Magnuson (pastor) and the church were sued for alleged sexual abuse that in one instance involved a naked psudo-baptism. Although the court dismissed the claim based on the statute of limitations, an appeal opinion states, “this court assumes that the accused committed sexual abuse, unless the district court has ruled otherwise.” Winkler v. Magnuson, 539 N.W.2d 821 (1995).
1956 – Jack Coe (evangelist/faith healer) was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. The case however was later dismissed. The Week In Religion. Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. July 1, 1956.
1942 – Old Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA. Kurt E. B. Molzahn (pastor) indicted by grand jury on allegations of conspiracy to commit espionage. The church parsonage was allegedly used as a mail address for German and Japanese spies. Pastor Arrested in Espionage Case; Bail for Philadelphian Is Set at $25,000 for Appearance at Hearing in Hartford, Aid to Enimies Denied.’ An Irresponsible Man’ Accused of Using His Home for Mail Center as ‘Act of Spite’. New York Times, June 12, 1942, p. 9.
1924 – Miller Park Christian Church, Omaha, NE. Louis Patmont (pastor) was arrested on charges “of attempting fraud in a ‘mail order’ marriage.” It is alleged they tried to entice her to wire for money from a home account. When she decided not to marry the pastor’s cousin, they refused to cover her fare to return to her to her out of state. Omaha pastor arrested: Accused of attempting fraud in a “mail order” marriage. The New York Times, May 17, 1025, p. 4.