Bad Guy Jeff and Christina Wise (Wise Reptiles) Stole Money from Benefit Auctions for Maggie

[crotalusadamanteus]

Yet more proof they are still monitoring this thread just waiting for another chance to screw someone else.

 

[April Homich]

Did anyone notice that the "Donation" button links to Paypal fine. I tried to click on it and see what email it's sending to, but I didn't want to log in. If she's in charge of the website, I'll bet she was put in charge of the online donations...

 

[April Homich]

Paypal says it goes to "[email protected]."

 

[April Homich]

Sorry for the multiple posts. It looks like the website registration address is valid. Maybe the church building itself is separate from the financial office, or whatever you'd call it for a church. ??
tax exempt status

 

[Mister Internet]

Well, I heard back from the pastor of the The Church Alive, and he confirmed that Jeff and Christina are now attending there. He thanked me for my concern, told me that they were attending there, and that they work with many different kinds of people, and that if I were a true Christian brother as I claimed to be (I am a Christian, and pled with him as a Christian brother), then I would know that we should "love and forgive at all costs, as vengeance and judgement [sic] is God's and God's alone" or something to that effect. Nevermind that that's improper Christian doctrine.

He did mention that they do not let laypeople become involved in church "finances" or "business", so that's good at least.

But yeah, seems that's their new "church home". The final statement from the pastor was: "If jeff and christina have done these things then the law or God will have the final say."

I think that unless they do something to the church or a member of their congregation, we can't expect his assistance... he seems willing to overlook their very, very recent past. I had provided him a link to this thread, but it doesn't sound like he read it based on his reply.

 

[Drew Zaun]

Well, I heard back from the pastor of the The Church Alive, and he confirmed that Jeff and Christina are now attending there. He thanked me for my concern, told me that they were attending there, and that they work with many different kinds of people, and that if I were a true Christian brother as I claimed to be (I am a Christian, and pled with him as a Christian brother), then I would know that we should "love and forgive at all costs, as vengeance and judgement [sic] is God's and God's alone" or something to that effect. Nevermind that that's improper Christian doctrine.

He did mention that they do not let laypeople become involved in church "finances" or "business", so that's good at least.

But yeah, seems that's their new "church home". The final statement from the pastor was: "If jeff and christina have done these things then the law or God will have the final say."

I think that unless they do something to the church or a member of their congregation, we can't expect his assistance... he seems willing to overlook their very, very recent past. I had provided him a link to this thread, but it doesn't sound like he read it based on his reply.

Forgive me if I am wrong, I am not Christian or very religious, so I correct me if I am off base here...

I thought one of a Pastor's jobs was to help people grow as human beings? Certainly he can't take your word for things, but he can certainly look into the issue and should have offered to try and help?

I think he is confusing "turn the other cheek" with "look the other way".

 

[zzzdanz]

Once again the whole church thing has me scratching my head.I wonder if he'ld sing the same song if he caught the Wise' with their filthy paws in his collection plate.

 

[ophidile]

I'm honestly not surprised - it's not really the pastor's job to play detective and judge. Guidance sure, but advice will likely fall on deaf ears if he's the one to bring it up (as opposed to them broaching the subject in the confessional or something). The main thing I'd hope would be accomplished by notifying him is he'll make sure not to let the Wises have a hand in any kind of finances, which it sounds like will be the case. I also hope he'll think twice if they come to him with any pleas for financial assistance, and intervene if he hears about them soliciting money from other members, etc.

 

[Mister Internet]

I'm honestly not surprised - it's not really the pastor's job to play detective and judge. Guidance sure, but advice will likely fall on deaf ears if he's the one to bring it up (as opposed to them broaching the subject in the confessional or something). The main thing I'd hope would be accomplished by notifying him is he'll make sure not to let the Wises have a hand in any kind of finances, which it sounds like will be the case. I also hope he'll think twice if they come to him with any pleas for financial assistance, and intervene if he hears about them soliciting money from other members, etc.

I guess that's really all I was expecting, but his overall attitude about it saddened me a bit... being Christian is more than just "loving everybody and letting God sort them out"... a LOT more.

Anyway, at least he knows now, like you said... and that's a good thing. You can bet he'll remember my email the second they bring up anything about "donations", "auctions", "raffles", or "taking up a collection", so they'll at least have to be creative this time.

 

[SirenSanJose]

Well, I heard back from the pastor of the The Church Alive, and he confirmed that Jeff and Christina are now attending there.

Most importantly, from all of this?

There is a PINPOINTED location. For all the rumors of moving to Texas, etc, t has been confirmed by a third party (the pastor) that the Wises are now currently living within a reasonable driving distance of St. Petersburg, Indiana.

Doesn't this give us a HUGE inroads into dealing with the appropriate local law enforcement? Maybe these local agencies will choose to deal with the Wises in a way their previous place of residence did not.

And the reptile world? Shows? We know which shows they're likely to attend, now.

Local media?

Michigan wasn't interested in this. Maybe Indiana will be. It's a whole new playing field, now, and maybe this one will be more fruitful.

 

[Mister Internet]

Local media?

I did send a blurb and a link to this thread to all the major news corporation affiliates in the Evansville area, and to the local paper... haven't heard anything back from any of them...

I think you'll find that Law Enforcement only cares about crimes that occur WITHIN their jurisdiction... which is proper. The crime occurred while the Wise's lived in MI, so it is MI's ball to run with. Wire fraud and cyber crime falls under Fed jurisdiction, so maybe it's time to just step it up to that level... ?

 

[chamgirl99471]

Have the MI authorities been notified of their move? Just curious because if they do move forward with the investigation it would be a good idea to let them know the approximate area that they are living in and possibly give them the Churches info so they know a place to look if they get the others involved.

 

[Amazon Exotics]

I would prosicute to the fullest extent of the law..!!!...period..

 

[John Apple]

ya know...pure friggin bunk....these folk are hiding behind some church doors
christian brother this that and the other...[roman catholic myself]
forgive and forget....jeezus man whatever....I have a hard time with pastors that help the idiots stay hidden in the name of the church and God[evolution anyone]...the simple fact is this they stole from someone dealing with a serious hardship...and I am sure when the 'heat' is down they will do it again....found jesus...yeah right....what a couple of idiots...the sad thing here also is if they have kids or do have kids these values they have will be probably passed on to the innocent children
I am sure Dave and myself would love to see them come to the Taylor show or any other show for that matter...
They should be banned from all shows dealing with our hobby...and a big photo of them holding raffle tickets should be at every door of every herp or vert related event
Dave has a nice photo of them at our tables in Taylor....I would suggest everyone else do the same....all legalities aside

 

[amercnwmn]

Can't say I'm surprised at the Pastor's overall reaction.

Most of the time they don't want to really get involved in this sort of thing, and really, what can he do?

He could "counsel" them and try to get them to do the right thing, but if they don't have the money, they certainly aren't going to "work" to get it.

The good thing is it is CONFIRMED where they go to church, so we know exactly where they are.

The main objective of the contact was a head's up so they can't do this again to the church.

I'm relieved they can't have direct contact with actual church finances.

I think their goal is to ingratiate themselves into the community, pretend to have some family catastrophe or financial hardships that would ultimately result in donations from the members directly to them.

Let's face it, these people are very convincing.

At least the Pastor's radar should be up, and he will notice a pattern quicker than he would have had nothing been said.

I promise you, in the back of his mind, lies the suspicion that these people HAVE stolen donations and scammed people.

Sometimes retribution and repayment aren't immediately forthcoming. In that case, all you can do is try to prevent it from happening to anyone else.

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

It's not the church finances that are in trouble, it's the people of the church they will prey upon with another sob story of some sort.

 

[Casey Hulse]

[email protected]
Dave, is this Maggies paypal address?
I thought I'd send her something (can't afford much) to help her with Christmas shopping for her kids.

 

[DAND]

[email protected]
Dave, is this Maggies paypal address?
I thought I'd send her something (can't afford much) to help her with Christmas shopping for her kids.

Casey,

Yes, that is her pay-pal address. (see under my screen name too) I appreciate you sending Maggie a little something as I am sure she and the kids do as well.



OT, sorry folks I haven't been posting but I have been having medical issues (again). I have been trying to keep up with some of the threads by lurking but Casey's post required a reply. I should be back posting soon.

 

[DAND]

Have the MI authorities been notified of their move? Just curious because if they do move forward with the investigation it would be a good idea to let them know the approximate area that they are living in and possibly give them the Churches info so they know a place to look if they get the others involved.

Yes, I informed them about it when I found out about it back in August. I didn't post it here as to not show my hand.

 

[Laura Fopiano]

Maggie and I have maintained a friendship since this nightmare began. We were taling on the phone yesterday and she imformed me that Christina sent her a message on FB. I received the forwards on said messages and got Maggie's permission to post them here.
I apologise for some of the language, but considering the situation, I did not want to change any of the messages.

Christina Marie Wise November 8 at 5:59pm Report
I have asks god to forgive me and have gotten on with my life so have you. Will you please forgive me ? .

Maggie Young Kimmel November 16 at 9:48pm yeah, as soon as you send me the fucking money you collected for me from people who took away from THEIR OWN FAMILIES for us..........until you want to make payments or have the payment for me............don't contact me again - i am swimming in shit cause of you so until you are ready to make it right..........seriously, go fuck yourself........you took advantage of ME AND MY CHILDREN at the WORST time of our lives, that makes you the biggest shit on earth, so if you can live with that, good luck to you, but if you decide to make it right, you know how to reach me. BTW, I have NOT gotten on my life.............kind of hard when your husband and your children's father dies............jerk off .

Christina Marie Wise November 18 at 1:15pm Report
I didnt mean you got on with your life I know it will always be hard on you. I didnt plan to take the money it just all happend so quick I mean the funeral you said go ahead and use it you need it we will be okay well then jeff got my card and starting using it saying he would pay it back before the end and the rent the one time because we didnt have it I didnt mean for it to happen or go that far. I am truely sorry and I didnt want or mean for this to happen like it did. I really enjoy taking to you and the kids I hate myself for it believe me and it will always be there. I am worse off now have no money nothing so maybe your right I should die not like anyone would miss me. alot of my friends hate me all because I trusted someone i loved and he screwed me in a bunch of ways not that you care but we had moved to tx he left me and the kids on the street. I just dont know what to do anymore I am so sick of life in general. Anyhow I am back in Michigan living with friends. If you wanta to talk which from your message you dont you know how to get a hold of me. .
Maggie Young Kimmel November 18 at 2:58pm how do i get a hold of you, if i want to? So what, you are separated now? .

Christina Marie Wise November 18 at 5:51pm Report
You have my facebook i dont have a phone anymore but I am living in Grand blanc michigan maybe I can call you from their phone sometime if you want
Yes, we arent together anymore he left me
all because of me not being able to give him what he wants I dont have tons of money or anything to give him so he dropped me and the kids in the middle of nowhere. I am sorry maggie I didnt want to use the money I really didnt