Pastor Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud After Diverting $504,000 in Church Funds
Federal prosecutors have obtained a guilty plea from a former Oklahoma pastor who diverted more than $504,000 in church funds.
Keith Rydell Mayes Sr., 63, of Tulsa pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion after an information was unsealed, says the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Historic Vernon AME Church hired him in October 2021 to manage finances, donations, collections, and disbursements.
He opened a bank account labeled Administrative Expenses as the sole signer, used his home as the mailing address, and deposited congregant and charity gifts there.
He later opened a church-named brokerage account, received $365,000 in stock transfers in 2021 and 2022, liquidated the shares, and kept most of the money.
From March 2022 through November 2025, he used more than $504,000 for gambling, personal expenses, and firearms.
He failed to report the income and owed more than $205,000 in taxes.
The plea requires forfeiture of those firearms and ammunition plus restitution of $504,313.88, including $205,765.60 to the IRS.
A judge released him on bond under U.S. Probation and Pretrial Service supervision pending sentencing.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Division are investigating, with Assistant U.S. Attorney David D. Whipple prosecuting.
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