PARIS, Mo. (WGEM) — A church official from Monroe County was arrested on Friday after being indicted for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that exploited pandemic relief funds exceeding $1.2 million.
Kenneth C. Sparks III, 54, was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in Florida. He faces a grand jury indictment issued on July 17, which includes one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
At the time of the allegations, Sparks served as a visiting minister at Faith Walk Ministry in Paris, Missouri. His co-defendants include Harold G. Long, the lead minister and CEO of the church; Mya M. McClain, the administrative assistant; and Javonte D. Long, a church member. Jeffrey C. Oboite, who operated several businesses in Maryland, was also indicted.
The indictment alleges that Oboite instructed Sparks and McClain on how to submit fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Sparks and Oboite reportedly submitted or facilitated the submission of fraudulent loan applications in their names, receiving at least $200,000 in fraudulent funds, including $147,900 from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, designed to assist struggling business owners during the pandemic.
The conspirators are accused of obtaining more than $1 million in PPP loans under the names of others. Sparks allegedly abused his position as a minister by gaining the trust of church members and acquiring their personal and financial information to apply for loans in their names. Harold Long is accused of assuring members that Sparks could be trusted with this sensitive information.
Sparks allegedly claimed to be an “Apostle” of God, asserting that his decisions were beyond question. He purportedly told church members they needed to provide their personal and financial information for credit score improvement or church funding.
The indictment states that Sparks directed McClain to create email addresses in the names of church members and advised parishioners to open new accounts at a credit union. He also commissioned the fabrication of false tax documents. Additionally, Sparks and Oboite allegedly instructed McClain and Harold Long to submit fraudulent loan applications for businesses purportedly owned by Long.
When credit union officials froze some accounts due to suspicious activities, Sparks and Oboite reportedly coached church members on how to deceive bank officials to release the funds.
Prosecutors claim Sparks profited hundreds of thousands of dollars from the fraudulent scheme, using the proceeds for luxury vehicles, clothing, and merchandise.
Wire fraud can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years, and each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation are handling the investigation.
