According To localmemphis a Memphis pastor and his wife was arrested and is being accused stealing more than 50K from an elderly lady in their church.
49 Year Old Frederick Smith and his wife was arrested in connection with scamming 77 year-old Clevie Williams racking up nearly $50,000 on her credit card.
The Memphis pastor and his wife have been charged with identity theft, theft of property, and forgery after a woman said the pastor used her personal information to open several credit cards and racked up $51,030 in debt.
Police and court records showed the victim first went to police in 2015. That is when the victim said Smith asked her to be on the “Mother’s Board” he was starting. He said he needed her social security card, driver’s license, and MLGW bill for her to be a member.
The victim said she started getting credit card statements and when she confronted Smith, he admitted to using her information to gain credit and promised to pay the bills. She told investigators she never permitted him to sign up for credit cards and that the pastor made up the Mother’s Board.
The victim also told investigators when she first confronted Pastor Smith his wife pleaded with her to not press charges and confessed she was with the pastor when he tried to get a loan.
Local Memphis tried calling Smith and stopped by his two church locations and home for comment but received no answer.
Jerri Smith is due in court Friday morning. Pastor Smith has a court date November 9.