Pastor Sentenced to More Than Five Years, by Gary Wright and Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, August 31, 2007

Pastor Sentenced to More Than Five Years

By Gary Wright and Tim Funk
Charlotte Observer
August 31, 2007

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/258835.html

Rev. John Henry Walker, accused of stealing from his Charlotte congregation, was sentenced tonight to more than five years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Frank Whitney also ordered the 48-year old pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church to pay more than $277,000 in restitution to the government.

Rev. John Henry Walker

Walker pleaded guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and lying to federal agents. Although his lawyer asked the court to let Walker stay out of jail long enough to give a goodbye sermon at his church this Sunday, the judge ordered U.S. marshals to take him immediately into custody to begin serving his sentence.

The courtroom was packed with current and former members of the church, with the pastor's supporters sitting on one side and his critics on the other.

Outside, after the sentencing, emotions flared, with the two sides scuffling and calling each other names. Some angry backers of Walker also charged TV camera crews and photographers, ordering them to stop crowding a path for Walker's wife, Rosie, an associate pastor at the church.

Contact: gwright@charlotteobserver.com, tfunk@charlotteobserver.com.