Staccato Powell, a former bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy in federal court. The charges stem from a scheme involving false statements and forged documents to gain control over church properties in California.
Powell, 65, from Wake Forest, North Carolina, was indicted alongside co-defendant Sheila Quintana by a federal grand jury in January 2022. Quintana pleaded guilty to conspiracy in April 2025.
Court documents reveal that Powell formed Western Episcopal District, Inc. (WED, Inc.) after becoming bishop of AME Zion Church’s Western Episcopal District in 2016. He instructed pastors to sign deeds transferring property titles to WED, Inc., which were then used as collateral for loans. Powell admitted to creating false resolutions and directing Quintana to execute loan documents based on these resolutions.
The properties involved include Kyles Temple in Vallejo, First AME Zion Church in San Jose, Greater Cooper AME Zion Church in Oakland, University AME Zion Church of Palo Alto, and First AME Zion Church in Los Angeles. Powell acknowledged that the congregations did not authorize the loans secured against their properties.
Powell also admitted to using some borrowed funds for personal benefits such as purchasing real estate for his children and paying off personal mortgage debt.
In July 2020, WED, Inc. filed for bankruptcy claiming assets worth over $26 million with debts exceeding $12 million.
Powell agreed to pay restitution between $3 million and $12.47 million and forfeited any claims on AME Zion Church properties.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani announced the plea agreement. Powell remains released on bond pending sentencing scheduled for September 23 before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine per count.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with assistance from Kathy Tat, Helen Yee, and Yenni Weinberg following an FBI investigation.
