A former member of the Potter’s House church in Dallas has allegedly been stalking its pastor, Bishop T.D. Jakes, for the last three years. A judge extended a temporary restraining order until next Monday.
Jakes sued Karleisha Tarver last month, and a court hearing Monday will determine whether a temporary injunction should be issued, ordering her to stay away from the pastor, reports the Star-Telegram.
The restraining order says Tarver cannot come within 500 feet of the pastor, his family and employees.
“I would love to comment, but I can’t because this case is pending,” says Jakes’ attorney, Faith Johnson, the Star-Telegram reports.
According to court documents, Tarver could take actions that “may ultimately lead to the death of one of the plaintiffs, their family, their friends, church attendees and/or staff.”
Judge Susan McCoy also issued a bench warrant for Tarver, who was arrested Jan. 26 and accused of criminal trespass when she reportedly tried to attend the church’s services.
According to the lawsuit, the harassment began in March 2011, when Tarver walked up to the front door of Jakes’ home. She was escorted away from the property by security officers.
Later that month she was escorted from the Dallas church when she tried to attend services. She was excommunicated from the church in May 2011.
Two months later, Tarver showed up for a Bible study at the church campus in Fort Worth, where she twice “yelled out” and was escorted out by security officers. The lawsuit says Fort Worth police officers issued a criminal trespass citation.
Court documents allege that Tarver showed up at Jakes’ home and the Potter’s House churches in Fort Worth and Dallas numerous times between 2011 and January of this year.
The harassment escalated on Jan. 5, when Tarver attempted to approach the altar where Jakes was preaching. Church security officers escorted her out, and the church counseling staff tried to help her and told her she was “going about things the wrong way,” says the lawsuit.
The suit also says Tarver appeared at Jakes’ home four times last month. On Jan. 7, after being approached by security officers when she was spotted in the driveway, the woman sped up and tried to hit one of them. The lawsuit says she drove away, but police were notified.
Tarver showed up three more time, once “screaming obscenities.” On the last occasion, she was cited for criminal trespass but refused to sign the citation, according to the lawsuit.
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