Former Oklahoma pastor jailed after secretly filming woman in store

A former Oklahoma pastor who once led a church will serve time in prison after admitting to stalking and secretly filming a woman inside a store.

According to 2News Oklahoma, Kendrick Oakley, formerly of Claremore, pleaded guilty to following a woman around a Tulsa Hobby Lobby and attempting to record up her skirt 11 times in July 2024.

Prosecutors initially charged Oakley with sexual battery and the charge was later amended to assault with intent to commit a felony, alongside 11 counts.

At a sentencing hearing on January 12, a judge handed Oakley two years in prison, followed by three years of probation.

A central aim of the plea deal was to ensure Oakley must register as a sex offender. Local district attorney Emily Crudup said the public has a right to know when those once trusted as leaders are convicted of such crimes.

"It is important for us to know who our community leaders are, who’s in churches and other positions of trust," Crudup said. 

"The point of the sex offender registration act is to notify the community, and we did just that with this plea," the attorney added.

Oakley was taken into custody shortly after entering his plea. The court also ordered him to pay fines and victim compensation, with additional costs still being assessed for the remaining charges.