COVINGTON COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – A Mississippi pastor, who was arrested and charged with embezzling thousands of dollars in church funds, denied the allegations.
Stricjavvar Strickland, the pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Olive, and Deacon Armond Barnes were both charged with one count of embezzlement of more than $500.
According to the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Strickland and Barnes stole nearly $90,000 in church funds. Authorities said the investigation began in October 2024 after they were notified by the finance committee from the church about discrepancies in the books and bank account.
The men turned themselves in to authorities on Tuesday, March 4. Strickland’s bond was set at $150,000, and Barnes received a $75,000 bond. Strickland is maintaining his innocence.
“I don’t have access to any financials of the church. I simply work as the agent of the church on behalf and in response to the wishes of the church. So, you know, it was really shocking to see that I would be called on the carpet for something like embezzlement when I don’t have access to any money,” he said.
The pastor said a church committee approves all expenses, and the congregation is informed of any major purchases.
“Each check that we write at this church is typically bears two signatures, and that’s how we operate,” he said.
Strickland believes the allegations stem from former members and others outside of the church.
“The three people who have been harassing and just coming against the church since I got here in June. This is not something that just started. This has been going on, and any of you to have an opportunity to go back and peruse Facebook. This has been going on since June,” he said.
Strickland suggested the claims were made to get him kicked out of the church. The congregation is standing behind him with more than 60 signatures requesting an end to the investigation.
“They want control they want power that does not belong to them or me. I’m here to empower the people and to empower the congregation. And that’s the reason why I’m not concerned about these allegations because we’ve got a church that’s really transparent, and we’ve got a lot of people involved in leadership that know exactly what’s going on,” he said.
Strickland said he will pursue legal action and has no intention of stepping down as pastor.
This is not Strickland’s first run-in with law enforcement. According to WJTV 12 News’ sister station, WOODTV, Strickland was sentenced to one year in Kalamazoo County Jail in 2023 for one count of knowingly offering to sell transportation services for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
In 2020, Strickland was charged with 11 felony counts after a Michigan State Police investigation alleged he and his wife used their positions within their church and Kalamazoo Public Schools to coerce four teen boys into sex between 2015 and 2018.
In August 2022, Strickland entered into a plea deal, pleading guilty to a count of knowingly offering to sell transportation services for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
Strickland’s wife was also charged in connection to the allegations, but the case against her was later dismissed.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi announced Mia Walton was arrested on Wednesday, March 5 by Covington County deputies. She was charged with cyberstalking Strickland in January 2025.
Walton was transported to the Smith County Jail, and her bond was set at $5,000.
Authorities did not comment on whether this was connected to the embezzlement case.