Was Creflo Dollar Arrested? Georgia Megachurch Rumor Debunked

A recent wave of social media posts has revived old claims about World Changers Church International co-founder and Senior Pastor Creflo Dollar, suggesting he was newly arrested on battery charges. However, the allegations being circulated—primarily on Facebook—misrepresent a real incident from more than a decade ago.

The misinformation began spreading after the Facebook page K-Dynasty posted a mugshot of Dollar taken by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, implying the megachurch pastor had been taken into custody in a current case. The page wrote: “Pastor Creflo Dollar, a high-profile megachurch leader in Atlanta, faced a serious legal issue when he was arrested for battery. This incident shocked his congregation and sparked widespread media attention.”

The post further relied on an unreliable blog, stating: “This article explores the circumstances surrounding the arrest, its impact on his ministry, and the broader implications for faith leaders facing public scrutiny.”

While the details referenced stem from a true event, the arrest did not occur recently. Dollar was actually detained back in June 2012, after authorities responded to a 911 call from his then-15-year-old daughter. The call, later released by officials, included the teen telling dispatchers:
“I just got an altercation with my father. He punched me and …(inaudible) choked me. It’s not the first time it’s happened. I feel threatened by being in this house.”
She continued, “I don’t know what can be done but I’m scared. I’m shaking. I don’t…I don’t know what to do.”

Following the report, Dollar was charged with simple battery and cruelty to children. According to coverage from multiple outlets, he acknowledged spanking his daughter during a dispute but maintained he had not punched or choked her. Dollar posted a $5,000 bond and was released, issuing a statement through the Associated Press:
“The facts in this case will be handled privately to further protect my children. My family thanks you for your prayers and continued support.”

Speaking later to his congregation, he offered his version of events, saying (via the Christian Post):
“The truth is that a conversation with our daughter got emotional and things escalated from there. The truth was that she was not choked, she was not punched. There were not any scratches on her neck but the only thing on her neck was a prior skin abrasion from eczema.”

The case came to an end in January 2013, when charges were dismissed after Dollar completed an anger management program. State Court Solicitor Jamie K. Inagawa stated at the time (via The Citizen):
“As a prosecutor it is my job to strike the appropriate balance of punishment and rehabilitation in every case I handle. I feel that my office has accomplished just such a balance in this case. The defendant has been punished for his actions, concerns for his possible re-offending have been addressed and the family unit has been preserved.”

No further arrests involving Creflo Dollar have been reported since the 2012 incident. The Georgia pastor continues to lead World Changers Church International alongside his wife, Taffi Dollar. The couple shares five children and remains active in their ministry.

The resurfaced claims circulating online have therefore been deemed misleading, presenting decade-old information as if it were a new development.