Bishop T.D. Jakes Sues Alleged Stalker

A judge has extended a temporary restraining order against a former member of the Potter’s House church in Dallas who has allegedly been stalking Bishop T.D. Jakes for the last three years. Jakes sued Karleisha Tarver in Tarrant County (Fort Worth, Texas) civil court last month. The restraining order says Tarver cannot come within 500 feet of the pastor, his family or employees.

Jakes, a nationally recognized televangelist, author and filmmaker, is pastor of the 30,000-member Potter’s House in Dallas. He opened The Potter’s House of Fort Worth, Texas last year on a 7.7-acre campus.

Court documents describe incidents in which Tarver showed up at Jakes’ home and at the Potter’s House churches in Fort Worth and Dallas. The suit says the harassment began in March 2011, when Tarver showed up at Jakes’ Fort Worth home and walked up to the front door. Security officers escorted her from the property. According to criminal court records, Tarver was convicted of criminal trespassing in 2012 and was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Over the past three years, Tarver has attempted to attend church services and Bible study. The harassment escalated on Jan. 5, when Tarver tried to approach the altar where Jakes was preaching. Church security officers escorted her out, and the church counseling staff tried to assist her. Tarver also showed up at Jakes’ home four times in January and she was arrested Jan. 26 and accused of criminal trespassing when she reportedly tried to attend services at The Potter’s House in Dallas. According to court documents, Tarver could take actions that “may ultimately lead to the death of one of the plaintiffs, their family, their friends, church attendees and/or staff.”