Longtime pastor, community leader jailed over alleged financial improprieties

TYLER — A local pastor and longtime high-profile community figure is accused of taking money from an elderly couple and stealing from his previous church. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County jail records show 65-year-old Jerome Milton was arrested Oct. 2 for theft between $2,500 and $30,000 and two counts of credit or debit card abuse against the elderly. Milton’s bond was set collectively at $550,000, and he remains in jail. Milton originated the long-running Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance in downtown Tyler. He was also a dean and longtime head track coach at Bishop Gorman, winning 10 state track championships. We will continue to follow this story as it develops.