UPDATE (8/13/25) — An arraignment has been continued for a former Claremore pastor accused of trying to film under a woman's skirt at a Hobby Lobby in Tulsa.
FOX23 told you 34-year-old Kendrick Oakley, who served as a pastor at Destiny Life Church's Claremore campus, was arrested last week. The Tulsa County District Attorney had issued a warrant for his arrest on 11 charges of peeping tom with photographic/electronic equipment.
Police said on July 9 of last year, Oakley allegedly followed a woman around a Hobby Lobby in south Tulsa and tried to film up her skirt multiple times.
UPDATE (8/7/2025) — The DestinyLife Church and Claremore Christian School (CCS) have both stated that Kendrick Oakley has been removed from CCS Board.
DestinyLife Church and CCS have released a statement in regards to the arrest of Oakley saying:
On Wednesday afternoon, DestinyLife Church leadership was informed of the arrest of staff member Kendrick Oakley on multiple counts related to “Peeping Tom” offenses. The church first became aware of the charges through a media inquiry...
Mr. Oakley has served on staff at DestinyLife Church for the past three years.
He was also recently elected to the board of Claremore Christian School (CCS) in late May 2025.
However, he had not yet participated in any board meetings nor had any involvement in decision-making, operations, or policy at CCS.
In light of these developments, the DestinyLife Church body gathered Wednesday evening to process the difficult news. Following that meeting, the CCS Board took immediate action to remove Mr. Oakley from the board. He will have no future involvement in any CCS activities or operations.
Following a biblical model of church discipline, Kendrick Oakley has been dismissed from serving as an elder and as a member of the church staff.
Lead Pastor Glenn Shaffer stated, “This is heartbreaking news. Our greatest concern is for the victim and their family, as well as for those in our church and school communities who are impacted.”
DestinyLife Church is committed to transparency and full cooperation with authorities. We ask for prayer for all affected during this time.
Kendrick Oakley is currently out of the Tulsa County Jail on bond.
UPDATE (8/6/25) — A Claremore pastor accused of trying to film under a woman's skirt at a Hobby Lobby in Tulsa has been arrested.
Kendrick Oakley, 34, was booked into Rogers County Jail around 5 p.m.
FOX23 reached out to Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler’s office and asked why it took more than a year for the charges to be filed.
The Tulsa County District Attorney's office provided the following statement:
“Mr. Oakley’s initial prosecution was declined by our office because Mr. Oakley claimed he was Indian, and therefore not able to be prosecuted by the State due to McGirt case law that prevents the State from having jurisdictional authority to prosecute," the statement read. "The Cherokee Nation also submitted a letter stating that Mr. Oakley may meet the criteria for being a Cherokee Nation citizen, and that his blood quantum should be investigated."
According to the Tulsa County District Attorney's office, it was determined by the court McGirt as not applicable to Oakley's case and that he did not meet the criteria for Cherokee citizenship.
"This ruling reinforced that the State did have proper jurisdiction to prosecute Mr. Oakley," the statement read.
According to the statement, once the State received that verification, the Tulsa County District Attorney's office "expeditiously" re-filed charges against Oakley on Aug. 1.
FOX23 also reached out to Destiny Life Church and was told they don't have anything to share at this time.
TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Police Department said an arrest warrant has been issued and they're currently searching for a Claremore pastor who has been accused of trying to film underneath a woman's skirt at a Hobby Lobby in Tulsa.
According to TPD, a man entered the Hobby Lobby near East 71st Street and South Mingo Road on the afternoon of July 9. 2024.
Security reported to authorities that they saw the man follow a woman around the store as he attempted to use his phone to either photograph or record under her skirt multiple times.
According to authorities, he followed the woman for 16 minutes and attempted to record under the woman's skirt 11 times.
After investigating the incident, detectives said they identified the man as Kendrick Oakley.
Oakley serves as a pastor at Destiny Life Church's Claremore campus.
On Wednesday, the Tulsa County District Attorney issued a warrant for Oakley's arrest on 11 charges of Peeping Tom with Photographic/Electronic Equipment.
At this time, TPD said they're still searching for Oakley.
If you have any information about Oakley and where he may be, please reach out to Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.
You may remain anonymous.
