The pastor, who has attracted widespread attention over his polygynous marriage arrangement, has sparked debate about religious leadership, accountability and the conduct expected of people in positions of spiritual authority.

His past conviction has prompted criticism from social media users, while others have questioned whether his criminal history is relevant to the current controversy.

Details of Pastor's Domestic Violence Conviction

According to court records, Ford's conviction stemmed from an incident on 15 January 2018 involving his teenage stepdaughter. The case was heard in an Ohio court after the teenager described being physically assaulted by Ford during a confrontation at the family home.

The court heard that the incident followed disagreements over the teenager's social media activity and a confrontation involving Ford's communication with his former wife. During the incident, Ford allegedly grabbed the teenager, pushed her to the floor, restrained her with his knee on her neck and struck her with a belt.

The teenager's testimony also described being slammed against a wall and thrown around the living room before being struck repeatedly with the belt. Her injuries included bruises on her leg, knee, back, upper thigh and arm, which remained visible several days after the incident.

A child welfare employee who visited the family three days later observed bruising, while photographs taken by police also showed visible marks on the teenager's body.

Ford disputed aspects of the teenager's account and argued that his actions amounted to parental discipline rather than domestic violence. However, the court rejected his argument, finding that the evidence supported his conviction.

In September 2020, the Ohio Court of Appeals upheld the domestic violence conviction, concluding that Ford's conduct had gone beyond what could reasonably be considered corporal punishment.

The court also distinguished the domestic violence conviction from separate child-endangerment charges, of which Ford was acquitted. The ruling therefore upheld his conviction for domestic violence without finding him guilty of those additional offences.

First Wife Also Implicated in Criminal Case

Ford's first wife, Lydia Ford, was also implicated in the wider criminal proceedings, which involved a separate incident concerning a woman identified as Latesha McFarland.

Court records show that the couple faced multiple charges connected to that separate case, including offences relating to assault, robbery and intimidation. Both subsequently pleaded guilty to separate offences arising from the incident involving McFarland.

The proceedings involving McFarland were separate from the domestic violence case concerning Ford's stepdaughter, although the charges formed part of the wider criminal case against the couple.

The domestic violence conviction has now attracted renewed attention following Ford's recent public announcement about his marriage arrangement, with social media users questioning his position as a pastor and the example he sets for members of his congregation.

Pastor Goes Viral After Introducing Second Wife

Ford recently made headlines after introducing his second wife, Minister Shakayla Ford, to his congregation at LifeWorks Church in Ohio.

During a service on 25 October 2026, Lydia introduced Shakayla to the congregation as her husband's second wife, describing her as her 'sister in marriage'. The announcement attracted widespread attention after footage of the moment circulated online.

The couple explained that their polygynous arrangement had been in place for nearly three years, prompting discussions about their interpretation of Christian teachings on marriage.

Ford has defended the arrangement, arguing that the belief that a man should have only one wife is 'unbiblical'. Shakayla also addressed the congregation, expressing her commitment to her role as a minister and explaining that she did not feel slighted by the arrangement.

The announcement received a mixed response, with some people appearing surprised by the revelation while others applauded the couple.

However, the resurfacing of Ford's criminal history has added another dimension to the online discussion, with critics questioning whether his past conduct should be considered when assessing his position within the church.

Further questions have also been raised online over claims that Ford previously referred to Shakayla as his 'daughter' on social media before publicly introducing her as his second wife. The claims have fuelled additional discussion about the relationship, although the circumstances surrounding the alleged posts remain unclear.

Social Media Users Divided Over Pastor's Past

Following the circulation of information about Ford's conviction, social media users have expressed differing opinions about his suitability for religious leadership. One person criticised the pastor, writing:

“This is not a pastor! This is why our faith gets laughed at because of these false prophets!!”

Another person shared similar concerns about religious figures who they believe misuse their positions, commenting:

“Too many fake prophets out here using God’s name to get rich!!!”

However, not everyone agreed that Ford's criminal history should be central to the discussion surrounding his recent announcement.

One person defended the pastor against the criticism, writing:

“His past has nothing to do with him being a pastor so this is irrelevant.”

While some social media users believe a pastor's past conduct should be considered when evaluating their leadership, others argue that personal history should not automatically determine whether someone can continue serving within a religious community.

The conviction remains a matter of public record, with the Ohio Court of Appeals having upheld the ruling in 2020. The renewed scrutiny follows his recent viral announcement, which has brought both his personal life and his history back into the spotlight.