“I was wrestled to the floor. One got my right arm. Twisted it. I said, No, you’re hurting me!”
That’s how longtime Mt. Olive M.B. Church member Allie Thompson described a painful and chaotic Father’s Day service.
3 On Your Side obtained exclusive video showing Thompson being dragged from the mother’s board section and out the church doors by two Scott County deputies. In the footage, she’s heard shouting, “You’re hurting me!”
Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee said Thompson and several others had previously received court-ordered notices barring them from attending services, following an earlier altercation. The order required them to stay away until matters were resolved. Despite the warning, they returned to the church that Sunday, violating the court’s directive.
According to Sheriff Lee, deputies attempted to escort Thompson out peacefully, but she refused to leave for an extended time, prompting the physical removal.
Other longtime members also found themselves displaced from roles they’ve held for years.
“I am the Sunday school teacher here. Mr. Johnson came in this morning and told me his pastor asked him to teach the Sunday School lesson, and he’s taking it over. I was not informed,” said Addie Johnson, who had served in that role for decades.
Thompson said several issues led to the tension—most notably, opposition to Pastor Charles Bell’s leadership.
“He called himself appointing a finance committee. The church did not vote on that. We have bylaws and rules that we govern by,” she said.
She also accused the pastor of excluding key church leaders from decision-making.
“Why doesn’t he include my husband, who is the oldest man and deacon of the church? He makes decisions without his knowledge,” Thompson added.
A search of Scott County Chancery Court records revealed that in October 2024, church leaders filed a restraining order and preliminary injunction against seven members, including Thompson. The filing alleged that the group physically and verbally assaulted a deacon on September 15, 2024—an incident that sent him to the hospital. It also claimed they threatened the pastor, first lady, and others.
Thompson, however, denied any involvement. In a statement to the church’s attorney, she insisted she played no part in the altercation.
“All the preachers that have been here and gone, if you get in touch with them, they will tell you that I have been a faithful warrior. Nothing but welcoming greeting guests as they come in. They would tell you that,” she said.
3 On Your Side requested an interview with Rev. Bell, but church officials said he was unavailable on Sunday.
As for what’s next, the church will hold a meeting later in July to decide whether to revoke the memberships of Thompson and the others officially.