Current:Home > MyRobert Brown|Memphis pastor, former 'American Idol', 'Voice' contestant, facing identity theft charges -WealthRoots Academy
Robert Brown|Memphis pastor, former 'American Idol', 'Voice' contestant, facing identity theft charges
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-07 00:14:26
A Tennessee pastor who appeared on Robert Brown“American Idol” and “The Voice” is slated to appear in court Monday after being arrested in connection to multiple felony theft-related charges for allegedly taking advantage of a member of his flock.
Steven Flockhart of 901 Church in Memphis was arrested last week on one count of identity theft and one count of theft of merchandise $2,500-$10,000, Shelby County Jail records show.
The 39-year-old preacher was booked into the jail Thursday and posted a $2,000 bond on Friday, online records show, and is slated to appear before a judge to be arraigned Monday morning.
'A weight has lifted'Kelly Clarkson is ready to smile again with talk show's move to NYC
'Please pray for our pastor'
According to the church's website, Flockhart oversees two churches in the Memphis suburbs of Millington and Bartlett.
The church released a statement on its social media pages saying it stands by its spiritual leader.
“While we do not find the allegations factual, we believe that vindication is from God and firm in His sovereignty and truth," the statement reads. “Please pray for our pastor and his family, for the hearts of those who seek to attack him and the church, and our community.”
What his accusers say happened:Russell Brand's assault, rape allegations being investigated
An unpaid credit card and a 2020 lawsuit
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by multiple media outlets, Flockhart and another church member agreed to open a joint credit card for the church in 2019. The victim told police Flockhart called him and requested his personal information, "which he reluctantly gave," WREG-TV reported.
In September, the church member noticed his credit score had dropped, the outlet reported, and found a PayPal credit card had been opened under his name with more than $6,400 in unpaid charges.
The incident was not the first time Flockhart allegedly took advantage of a person without their immediate knowledge, according to the affidavit.
Flockhart also allegedly previously forged documents and impersonated the account holder of a credit card at another church in Georgia, local WMC-TV reported, which lead to a lawsuit in 2020.
It was not immediately known if Flockhart had obtained an attorney.
USA has reached out to Flockhart for comment but have not yet heard back.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (5723)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Horoscopes Today, May 20, 2024
- Kentucky congressman expects no voter fallout for his role in attempt to oust House speaker
- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi killed in helicopter crash along with foreign minister, state media confirm
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- 2 teens die in suspected drownings after accepting dare, jumping off bridge into lake
- Dolly Parton pays tribute to late '9 to 5' co-star Dabney Coleman: 'I will miss him greatly'
- Ayo Edebiri Shares Jennifer Lopez's Reaction to Her Apology Backstage at SNL
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- 'Abbott Elementary' is ready for summer break: How to watch the season 3 finale
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Former Arizona grad student convicted of first-degree murder in 2022 shooting of professor
- Over 200,000 electric stoves from Kenmore, Frigidaire recalled after multiple fires, injuries
- State Supreme Court and Republican congressional primary elections top Georgia ballots
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI stole her voice: ChatGPT's Sky voice is 'eerily similar'
- What Each Zodiac Sign Needs for Gemini Season, According to Your Horoscope
- Are mortgage rates likely to fall in 2024? Here's what Freddie Mac predicts.
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Arizona grad student accused of killing professor in 2022 had planned the crime, prosecutor says
Former Florida signee Jaden Rashada sues coach Billy Napier and others over failed $14M NIL deal
Below Deck's Capt. Kerry Slams Bosun Ben's Blatant Disrespect During Explosive Confrontation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
“Gutted” Victoria Monét Cancels Upcoming Shows Due to Health Issues
Vermont governor vetoes bill to restrict pesticide that is toxic to bees, saying it’s anti-farmer
Connecticut’s top public defender could be fired as panel mulls punishment for alleged misconduct