Missouri Pastor Convicted in $1.9M Fraud Scheme
Self-proclaimed ‘prophet’ used church’s trust to steal COVID relief funds for luxury spending.
Kenneth C. Sparks III was invited to preach for three days at Faith Walk Ministry in Paris, Missouri — but he would stay for three years, turning the small-town congregation into the engine of a $1.9 million federal fraud scheme.
Kenneth Sparks / Photo via Instagram
By framing himself as an unquestionable “apostle” and “prophet of God” online and in the pulpit, Sparks, 56, weaponized his congregation’s trust to orchestrate a complex financial operation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman argued at trial.
Federal prosecutors said Sparks convinced parishioners and church staff to surrender their personal banking details and open new credit union accounts under the pretense of repairing their credit or funding a future megachurch.
“Kenneth Sparks impersonated God himself in order to steal millions of dollars in public funds during the worst days of the pandemic,” Wiseman said.
Sparks was aided inside the church by lead minister Harold Long, who assured parishioners Sparks could be trusted, and administrative assistant Mya McClain, who created email accounts to submit fraudulent applications, according to the Credit Union Times. Church members were even directed to hand over signed blank checks and follow prepared scripts if bank officials questioned loan applications.
Behind the pulpit, Sparks ran what Wiseman called a “full-time fraud operation.” The scheme targeted emergency pandemic relief programs, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds, as well as personal and auto loans.
In total, 40 fraudulent pandemic relief applications were submitted using falsified tax records and employment documents provided by two outside co-conspirators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation.
When members questioned why roughly $1 million in pandemic loan proceeds suddenly appeared in their personal Navy Federal Credit Union accounts, Sparks issued spiritual threats, warning that questioning a “man of God” would invite “curses from God.” When credit union officials flagged suspicious activity and froze accounts, Sparks provided church members with scripted lies to tell bank representatives.
While $1.2 million in loans was processed in the names of unsuspecting parishioners, the funds ultimately flowed straight to Sparks, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Aaron Joifrita testified.
Over $1 million was diverted to him through $313,000 in personal checks, $172,000 in cash advances, luxury merchandise, a $47,000 jewelry spree featuring a diamond Rolex, and two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles worth a combined $241,000. Sparks employed identical identity-theft tactics to siphon another $685,000 through personal and auto loans.
Following a brief one-hour jury deliberation in St. Louis, Sparks was convicted Aug. 26 on 20 federal counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Ten co-defendants have also pleaded guilty. Sparks faces sentencing on Dec. 1.
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