Calif. Pastor Exposed by Personal Drug Dealer in Midst of Allegations That He Firebombed Ex-Girlfriend's Home While Family Slept
A drug dealer from West Sacramento, Calif., is divulging pastor Mark Lewis as a liar and a drug abuser as he claims he sold Lewis meth on several occasions prior to his arrest last week, in which he was accused of allegedly hiring three homeless people to firebomb his ex-girlfriend's house.
The former dealer, John Maes, says he met up with Lewis every Friday for a few months on the West Capitol Avenue strip of the city, known for drug trafficking, run-down motels and prostitution.
"It was probably about 1:30 a.m. when he was looking to buy some methamphetamines," Maes told Fox Sacramento, recalling their first encounter. "He told me he had a church and told me he usually makes a little side money."
He added, "The first thing that went through my mind was, 'he's lying, there's something wrong about him, I mean, a pastor coming to West Capitol Avenue, and he's selling meth out of the church?' That can't be."
Maes said he also gave the pastor company while they both abused drugs.
"I smoked dope with him. I smoked meth with him about four or five times," said Maes.
Furthermore, the owner of a motel on the strip confirmed Mae's claims and said that Lewis had even stayed at his motel at one point.
"If you're going to be a pastor, you have to be totally 100 percent upfront with people. He's sitting there lying to his congregation," said Maes.
Lewis, 39, who pastors Fellowship Baptist Church in Vacaville, Calif., was arrested along with three others for tossing a Molotov cocktail at Sarah Nottingham's window while she and her children slept. He was jailed on charges of arson, conspiracy and stalking, before his $500,000 bail was paid two days later.
Along with evidence linking Lewis as a co-conspirator in the incident, police found an illegal handgun and suspected methamphetamine in his home.
He is also a suspect in four other incidents of harassment and vandalism against Nottingham who says he previously vandalized her car and set the bushes in front of her house on fire.
