An Oklahoma pastor and Christian school board member has been arrested after being accused of recording under a woman’s skirt at a Hobby Lobby. Kendrick Oakley has been dismissed from his roles at DestinyLife Church and Claremore Christian School, according to a joint press release.
Oakley had been listed as a pastor/elder on DestinyLife Church’s website but has since been removed. The church said that he had served on staff for three years.
The incident took place on July 9, 2024, at a Hobby Lobby in Green Country, Oklahoma. According to KJRH, Oakley is accused of attempting to record up a woman’s skirt 11 times in the 16 minutes he was in the store.
A loss prevention officer for Hobby Lobby reportedly noticed the incident taking place via security cameras and followed Oakley to the car to write down his license plate. The officer also notified the woman and encouraged her to file an online police report.
Oakley’s arrest was delayed by the fact that he claimed to have Cherokee Nation citizenship, which would put the incident outside the jurisdiction of the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office.
In a statement, the district attorney said, “The Cherokee Nation also submitted a letter stating that Mr. Oakley may meet the criteria for being a Cherokee Nation citizen, and that his blood quantum should be investigated.”
The district attorney said that Oakley “was afforded due process” and that he “did not meet the criteria for Cherokee citizenship.”
“This ruling reinforced that the State did have proper jurisdiction to prosecute Mr. Oakley,” the statement continued.
Oakley was arrested on Wednesday (Aug. 6).
