Rev. Creflo Dollar arrested on family violence charges

Rev. Creflo Dollar arrested on family violence charges

Posted: Updated: June 8, 2012 10:29 PM
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -

FOX 5 News has learned that Reverend Creflo Dollar, the well known pastor of an Atlanta-area mega church, has been arrested on a family violence charge.

Fayette County deputies arrested the 50-year-old pastor at his home on Sandy Creek Road Thursday night.

The arrest warrant alleges Dollar "intentionally caused physical harm to his teenage daughter by grabbing her around the neck and choking her." The warrant states the incident caused a scratch on the right side of the girl's throat.

"The injuries, of course, were just superficial injuries.  No medical attention was need.  However, they were present," said Brent Rowen of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

A call by the pastor's 15-year-old daughter prompted a sheriff's deputy to go to the family's gated mansion in north Fayette County.


Partial transcript of the 911 call:

911 Operator:  What's going on there?

Caller:  I just got in an altercation with my father.  He punched me and frightened me and choked me.  Um, it's not the first time it's happened.  I feel  threatened by being in this house.  Um, I don't know, I don't  know  what can be done but I'm scared, I'm shaking.  I don't know what to do.

911 Operator: 
Do you have any injuries?  Do you need an ambulance?

Caller:  No, ma'am.

911 Operator: 
What were you arguing about?

Caller: He asked me, um. He asked me…  It was a previous argument about me going to a party on Saturday.  And he brought up grades and I started crying.  So, I walked out of the room to the kitchen, to my sisters.  I was by myself, it was just me and my sisters in the kitchen.  And he followed behind me and asked me why I was crying?  And I said I do not want to talk to you.  And he went off.  That's when he went off.  He came and put his arm around my neck and choked me and bent me over the table.  And I pushed him off of me and he threw me on the ground and punched me in my face.  


Police say 911 calls from children complaining of abuse are common.

"Any time we respond we treat them exactly the same way.  We investigate the facts in the case and we have to react accordingly," said Rowan.

FOX 5's Doug Evans reports Dollar posted a $5,000 bond on Friday morning.  He can live with his daughter, but the judge said he is not to threaten her, harm her or even argue with her.

Reverend Dollar is the leader of the World Changers Ministries, a mega church headquartered in College Park that generates tens of millions of dollars each year.  The church has nearly 30,000 members, which includes sports and entertainment celebrities such as heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield.

Dollar issued a statement on Friday saying, "As a father I love my children and I always have their best interest at heart at all times, and I would never use my hand to ever cause bodily harm to my children.  The facts in this case will be handled privately to further protect my children.  My family thanks you for your prayers and continued support."

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