Memphis pastor, former 'American Idol', 'Voice' contestant, facing identity theft charges
A Tennessee pastor who appeared on “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.
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'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.”
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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.