The attorney who represents the leader of an Independence church says the Jackson County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation that resembles a Jerry Lewis telethon.
John Carnes, a former politician brought low by criminal charges, offered a withering critique of Sheriff Mike Sharp in an interview Wednesday. Carnes called the search of New Covenant Faith Center "an occupation" and mocked Sharp's experience as a lawman.
"His claim to fame was that he was a carpet salesman before he became sheriff," Carnes said in a phone interview. (Sharp owned a carpet store in Lee's Summit for 18 years. He was also a reserve officer and detective.)
On Monday, sheriff's investigators began a search of New Covenant and an adjoining residence. Carnes represents Lloyd Sartain, the church's pastor, who was taken into custody and released without being charged.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone who has had contact with the church to report possible misconduct. Sheriff's officials said they had found guns, computers and cash during the search.
On Wednesday, Carnes said the sheriff was executing a second warrant. "They're still occupying the church," said Carnes, who believed the search would continue into Thursday.
Carnes accused Sharp of attention seeking and conducting an unprofessional investigation. He suggested that the appeal to the public was an act of desperation. "Now they're doing like a Jerry Lewis telethon, when they pick up a guy and have people call in," Carnes said.
Four guns were found during the execution of the search warrant, Carnes said. Sartain is not a felon, and his wife has a license to carry a concealed weapon, Carnes added.
Depictions that New Covenant operated as a cult are false, according to Carnes, who said it is his understanding that a power struggle within the church prompted the investigation. "So there's some infighting going on, more or less," he said.
Carnes suggested that Smith would one day be made to answer for the investigation as a defendant in a lawsuit. Carnes said that he might want to have Sheriff's Office appraised, "because my client's probably going to own it."
Carnes is a former Independence councilman and Jackson County legislator. He went to federal prison after pleading guilty in 1989 to bribery and bank fraud. He regained his license to practice law in
2006.
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THIS IS DISGUSTING THAT A SHERRIFFS DEPARTMENT WOULD USE MDA AS RESEOURCE WHEN THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO
I just want to state that there is no power struggle going on at this church, and never has been. It has always been under the strong thumb of one man. Lloyd Sartain! It is completely hilarious that they are even stating such rubbish. Looks like this lawyer should have been kept from practicing law, ever again. We have an ex-con representing someone who should have been a convicted felon a long time ago. You got it right when you stated that he is afraid, this is classic Lloyd, and he has a lawyer that is along for the ride. I know the nightmare that I endured while being under his control, and it was real and had nothing to do with a power struggle. There are us victims that have been waiting a long, long time to be given a voice. I have had to give this matter to God a long time ago, knowing that he might be my only hope for justice. He may be able to deceive many, but not God.
It is of our opinion that Sheriff Sharp is doing exactly what more sheriffs department officials should do.
So many times, when a crime, espcially a crime of sexual abuse against a child is reported, the law enforcement don't even bother, esp. if the abused happened years ago.
There are hundreds of occasions that the victims have to call the press event to reach out to other victims. SNAP "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" has done this work many times. It is a breath of fresh air to see the sheriff reaching out to other victims. Maybe then there can be some justice, and child predators can be put in jail and away from kids.
We applaud the sheriff for calling a press confernce and reaching out to anyone who has info of crimes within the church or by this pastor. Thank you, victims truly appreciate.
Sounds like Sartain's lawyer, John Carnes, is acting out in desparation with his remarks, is he afraid the sheriff might found out the truth?
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511
snapnetwork.org
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