An Okmulgee pastor, who also serves on the Okmulgee City Council, was arrested on a felony warrant stemming from a child abuse investigation involving an incident at a local church, according to court documents.

Marcus Davy Jeffrey, 63, is charged in Okmulgee County District Court with one count of child abuse, a Class A3 felony. The charge relates to an alleged incident on Nov. 12, 2025, during a youth gathering at Eastside Baptist Church in Okmulgee.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, the Okmulgee Police Department requested assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Special Agent Melissa Jackson was assigned to investigate and reviewed both a police report and video surveillance from inside the church sanctuary.

Investigators allege Jeffrey, who identified himself as the church’s lead pastor and had recently taken over youth group teaching duties, struck multiple juveniles with a belt.