Black Pastor Guilty of Stealing Old Folks Wallets
Published September 29, 2026 at 7:15 AM EDT
Mugshot of New Christian Church of Jesus Christ Pastor Virgil Mozee
LOUISVILLE, KY — Pastor Virgil Mozee, 65, of The New Christian Church of Jesus Christ was sentenced Monday, September 28, to five years in prison after pleading guilty to six counts of theft and fraud. The case stems from a series of thefts last September in which surveillance footage showed Mozee and co-defendant Nathaniel Porter III stealing wallets from older shoppers. The two later used stolen credit cards to make thousands of dollars in purchases.
Mozee’s attorney, Justin Brown, asked the court for probation, arguing that Mozee had moved to Florida, left behind his former associates and begun a new life. Brown described Mozee’s repeated offenses as “bad habits.” Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell rejected probation, pointing to nine prior felony convictions involving similar conduct. She said his record showed a substantial likelihood that he would commit another offense if released on probation.
At the sentencing hearing, the lead detective presented Mozee’s police interview and images of his truck captured by Flock cameras. Louisville police had seized the truck during their investigation. The defense objected to the loss of the vehicle, arguing that taking it would impose a painful financial penalty. Prosecutors said police had also seized a Camaro but returned it because Mozee’s wife primarily used it. They emphasized that the case concerned the alleged targeting of vulnerable shoppers for financial gain.
Mozee admitted guilt, while Porter chose to take his case to trial in January. Mozee must turn himself in by 3 p.m. on October 5. WLKY reported that he also has a hearing scheduled that day in Indiana in a similar case. The five-year sentence follows the judge’s finding that Mozee’s history of comparable convictions made probation inappropriate, despite his attorney’s argument that his move to Florida marked a fresh start.
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