T.D. Jakes Files Lawsuit Against Alleged Stalker, Expelled Church Member
A Texas judge extended a temporary restraining order against a former Potter's House of Dallas church member after pastor T.D. Jakes filed a lawsuit against her last month for allegedly stalking him for years.
The judge extended the injunction on Friday against Karleisha Tarver because according to court documents, her actions "may ultimately lead to the death of one of the plaintiffs, their family, their friends, church attendees and/or staff."
"I would love to comment, but I can't because this case is pending," said Faith Johnson, Jakes' attorney, according to the Star-Telegram.
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The short-term restraining order will be in place until a court hearing next week that will determine whether Tarver should be ordered to permanently stay away from Jakes.
Since 2011, Tarver has made several attempts to trespass Jakes' Fort Worth home and reportedly tried to hit a security officer with her car after he turned her away from entering the property.
She was expelled from the church in 2011 however later that year, Tarver attended a Bible study meeting where she disturbed the gathering by yelling uncontrollably. According to the lawsuit, police issued a criminal trespass citation at the time.
Court documents also indicate Tarver was sentenced to a mental institution in 2012.
One of the most recent incidents occurred in January when Tarver entered the church one Sunday, wearing a sling on her left arm as she attempted to approach Jakes at the altar while he preached before being apprehended by security. After she was escorted out, church counselors tried speaking with her about her behavior.
In addition to the temporary restraining order, an arrest warrant was issued for Tarver after she was accused of criminal trespassing last month, the Star-Telegram reported.
In a similar story, gospel singer Marvin Sapp filed a personal protection order in late 2013 against Teleka Patrick, a first-year resident in Western Michigan University's medical school program. Patrick had moved from California to Michigan, joined Sapp's church in Grand Rapids and contacted his children and claimed he was her husband.
Like Tarver, Patrick was also expelled from Sapp's Lifehouse Full Life Center Church after she sent him inappropriate e-mails and pictures and attempted to trespass his property.
According to Patrick's ex-husband, she is known to suffer mental illness, delusions and paranoia.
Patrick has been missing since December after she failed to go to work. However, the car she was in the night she disappeared was found in Indiana with her wallet and credit cards. Authorities are still investigating her case.
