Addiction Recovery Pastor in Jail on $750K Bond for Living ‘Double Life’ as Drug Dealer

A Seattle pastor known for helping recovering addicts was arrested in January for possessing and selling fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines. According to the arrest affidavit, he bragged about it.

Steve Parker / Sisco Heights Community Church / Instagram

Steve Parker, 57, admitted to authorities he “lived a double life” after the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU) arrested him. The arrest followed a three-month investigation that included controlled drug deals with undercover cops.

Police began investigating Parker last November after sources told them he dealt drugs in three counties.

The investigation determined the pastor and addiction recovery advocate was becoming a higher-level drug dealer possessing firearms and distributing multiple drugs.

Sources told detectives that besides being a pastor, Parker had a business that helped people struggling with addiction acquire housing and jobs—although he was a drug dealer.

Parker was the officer of The Nest Ministries and director of Omni-Mana Services. The Omni-Mana website says it “helps people who have had substance abuse or mental health issues find employment.”

Parker was associated with Sisco Heights Community Church. Sisco Heights’ Lead Pastor, Dan Eide, told MinistryWatch the church leadership is aware of the situation.

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Eide confirmed Parker attended the church, led a men’s bible study, and spoke occasionally, but said Parker was never on their staff. “He left the church nearly a year ago,” he said before adding that he had no further comment.

Police arrested Parker on January 19 while he was driving his Subaru through Mount Vernon.

In his car, Detectives found methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, cocaine, over 2,000 counterfeit pills, and a loaded handgun. Parker admitted he resupplied his drugs 3 to 4 times a week and had multiple sources of supply.

Parker said the drugs were an income source. The affidavit said he bragged about being a good drug dealer to detectives, saying he was good at his business.

The report also accused Parker of placing “high-value cars,” including a Mercedes, in other people’s names.

He admitted he leads a double life and has two houses. In one house in Arlington, he lived with his wife and mother-in-law. In Arlington, locals knew him as a pastor who enjoyed officiating weddings, who was a beloved grandfather and a helper to those down on their luck.

Yet, in his other life 10 miles southwest on the Tulalip Reservation, Parker conducted his criminal behavior and had a girlfriend.

Police collected 30 firearms between both homes.

Parker had pictures of ARs he built on his Instagram.

Also living at the Arlington residence with Parker, his wife, and mother-in-law are approximately 14 registered sex offenders. Detectives confirmed that none of them knew about his criminal activities.

FOX 13 reported a man living at the Arlington home answered the door and said he’d be living on the streets, or “the Mack house,” if it wasn’t for Parker. The Mack House is a location that houses sex offenders.

Since his January 19 arrest, Parker has remained in the Skagit County Jail with bail set at $750,000.

Parker faces seven charges for possession with intent to manufacture or deliver fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, maintaining a vehicle with the purpose of drug trafficking, and money laundering.

Each count ranges from two to 10 years of federal imprisonment.