Fairview Pastor Held On $1 Million Bond, Accused Of Molesting Adopted Daughters

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

FAIRVIEW, Oklahoma -- The pastor of Midway Assembly of God Church in Fairview, Oklahoma, is on suicide watch in the Garfield County Jail.

Tommy Pitts, 51, is accused of molesting his three adopted daughters. Sheriff Steven Randolph of Major County said Pitts was taken into custody over the weekend after his wife called the sheriff to report the molestation allegations. She also told law enforcement that Pitts planned to kill himself.

Sheriff Randolph said they found Pitts after he tried to drive his car into on oncoming truck. He was taken into custody after the accident and placed on suicide watch. He's expected to be arraigned Wednesday, April 6.

Pitts was charged with 15 counts of first-degree rape, 15 counts of rape by instrumentation, 20 counts of lewd acts with a child under 16, and 20 counts of forcible sodomy.

Pitts has been an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 2007. Rev. Frank Cargill with the Assemblies of God District Office in Oklahoma City said the church has launched a ministerial investigation, and Pitts will not pastor the Midway Assembly of God Church while the investigation is ongoing.

The news of the ordained minister's fall from Grace has shocked many in the small town of Fairview.

"I think that it's horrific. I'm actually from Hennessy and I just moved here and it's terrible," said Shannon Buchanan, Fairview resident. "It makes me feel for this town."

Just a few months ago, Midway Assembly of God Church burned to the ground. Now the church  will have to determine not only where their new church home will be, but also who will lead them.

"I informed the congregation and church leadership of our regrets, our love, our prayers both for now and the future certain days of uncertainty for them," Cargill said.

Pitts is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.