Pastor Charged

By: Associated Press

Updated: Thu 10:16 AM, Aug 29, 2002

Reverend Jerome Carlos Wilks and his wife, Gladys Miller Wilks have been arrested on theft charges in Clark County, Ala.

Thomasville police detective, Shane Lindsey says the charges stem from an ongoing investigation. He says the Wilks are accused of mishandling a substantial amount of money during the 12 years that Reverend Wilks was pastor of New Greater First Baptist Church in Thomasville.

The charges were filed based on allegations made by the church's head deacon, Robert Hawthorne. However, Detective Lindsey says Hawthorne has also been arrested on theft charges.

Rev. Wilks has been pastor of Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Gulfport for two years. No one at the church was available for comment.

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