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Megachurch pastor Greg Locke blames online accusations after…

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The controversial Tennessee pastor told congregants on Sunday that federal investigators raided his family home less than two months ago. The June raid came during a six-week sabbatical Locke took after his 20-year-old son died from a drug overdose in early May. Locke described the raid as Satan kicking his family while they were down. The charismatic preacher emerged as a controversial figure among evangelical Christian circles for being vocal about his political beliefs and repeatedly characterizing the COVID-19 pandemic as a hoax.

What happened during the raid? About 60 federal agents conducted a pre-dawn raid on Locke’s central Tennessee home followed by a three-hour search, Locke said. The pastor said he woke up to a knock at the front door, and before he could answer, officials beat through his door with a battering ram and pushed him to the ground, he said. Locke said investigators pulled his wife outside in her sleep shirt and underwear, before pushing one of his sons against a wall and holding him at gunpoint with an AR-style weapon, Locke said. Officials executed multiple search warrants as part of a nearly two-year private investigation into Locke. Investigators searched Locke’s family home, along with his business, Locke Media, Locke said, and a served subpoena for the church buildings.

Officials told the family that the warrants stemmed from an investigation opened due to the overabundance of allegations online accusing Locke of misappropriating funds. Agents searched every cabinet, drawer, bed, and chicken coop, he said. Officials ended up confiscating all Locke’s phones and digital devices, and downloaded their data, Locke said. The pastor said he was now working to pull six years’ worth of personal and business records for officials, while investigators subpoenaed donors and overseas missionaries connected with the church. The investigation also resulted in the closure of Locke’s personal bank account as well as the church’s. The pastor’s family has used CashApp and PayPal to conduct transactions since the raid, he said. Locke said his platform was so large that street riots would have broken out if he’d publicized the raid when it happened.

God tells people not to fight because He will bring vindication, Locke continued. The pastor said he refused to identify the three-letter federal agency that conducted the search, and prayed blessings over everyone involved. Locke told congregants on Sunday that he would not give any additional interviews or release any other public statements about the raid going forward. What federal agency conducted the search? FBI spokeswoman Elizabeth Clement-Webb told WORLD on Thursday that the FBI was not involved in the raids and referred reporters to the Justice Department.

Source: Megachurch pastor Greg Locke blames online accusations after… | WORLD

O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah 25:1

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