TULSA, Okla. - The former senior pastor of a historic Tulsa church has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion after admitting he embezzled more than $504,000 in church funds and used some of the money for gambling, personal expenses and firearms.
Keith Rydell Mayes Sr., 63, of Tulsa, entered the guilty pleas after a federal criminal information against him was unsealed.
Mayes became senior pastor of Vernon AME Church in October 2021. His responsibilities included overseeing church finances and managing donations, collections and the disbursement of church funds.
Shortly after joining the church, Mayes opened a bank account titled "Administrative Expenses," according to court documents. Mayes was the account's only authorized signer and listed his personal residence as its mailing address.
Prosecutors said Mayes solicited and received voluntary donations from church members and charitable organizations and deposited the money into that account.
In one case, a church donor and the donor's financial adviser contacted Mayes about making a stock donation to Vernon AME Church. Mayes subsequently opened a brokerage account in the church's name to receive the donation.
Court documents show the donor transferred $365,000 in stock during 2021 and 2022. Mayes liquidated the stock and deposited the proceeds into the church's bank account before embezzling most of the money for his personal use, according to prosecutors.
Federal authorities said Mayes embezzled more than $504,000 from at least March 2022 through November 2025. Court documents show he spent the money on gambling, personal expenses and firearms.
Mayes also failed to report the illegally obtained income to the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in more than $205,000 in unpaid taxes.
Under his plea agreement, Mayes agreed to forfeit firearms and ammunition purchased with the misappropriated money and repay $504,313.88 connected to his embezzlement activities. That amount includes $205,765.60 owed to the IRS.
Mayes was released on bond following his court appearance and will be supervised by U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services while awaiting sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David D. Whipple is prosecuting.