The Independence pastor arrested and released without being charged last week in a raid of the New Covenant Faith Center has now filed for a restraining order against Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp and his office.
The petition, filed by attorney John Carnes on behalf of Lloyd D. Sartain, alleges that during last week's two-day raid, the sheriff and his deputies ransacked the church, "tore up the sanctuary and the parsonage," damaged the ceiling, kicked in the doors (even after keys were offered) and "stole" the church's records, files, tithes, books, credit cards, bank statements and income tax returns.
Now, the church cannot pay its bills or staff, Carnes writes, and the church has been shut down.
The petition claims the sheriff's office has harassed church members
and spread lies to the press and public about the church, including
alleging "sexual misconduct" and "exploitation of minors." Among the
claims Carnes says aren't true are that Sartain is a felon with DWI and
non-support convictions and weapon charges.
The petition also alleges that no one has seen the search warrants obtained by the sheriff's department.
Earlier this week, Carnes told KCTV Channel 5 that the raid could be a case of mistaken identity.
A week ago, sheriff's investigators searched New Covenant and an adjoining home. Sheriff's officials seized guns, computers and cash during the search.
Last week, Carnes told The Pitch's David Martin that Sharp better get the sheriff's office appraised "because my client's probably going to own it."
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