A 57-year-old Gary man, identified as Kevin Denean Hawkins, has been charged with felony theft after investigators reviewed months of alleged unauthorized purchases made with the First Baptist Church of Gary, Indiana, Food Pantry debit card, according to recently filed court documents.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hawkins began serving as president of the church’s food pantry in October 2024 and was given the pantry’s commercial debit card, which could only be used to purchase food delivered to the community. A church spokesman informed investigators that purchase receipts were never turned in, and when asked about the missing receipts, “Kevin blew up.”
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According to the affidavit, an examination of bank statements revealed a series of transactions commencing October 21, 2024, and ending May 30, 2025, that were not compatible with pantry operations. The statement includes examples of purchases at fast-food restaurants, micromarts, Macy’s, Urban Cannabis, ATM cash withdrawals, and personal vehicle fuel—all of which the church representative stated were never approved for pantry use.
According to court documents, the representative discovered that her name had been removed from the pantry’s bank account while she was not present, and she later inspected the remaining bank data available. Hawkins “started misappropriation of funds” shortly after being appointed president, according to her, and she was the only active debit-card holder throughout the time in question.
The affidavit states an itemized list of alleged fraudulent purchases totaling $3,687.05. Investigators noticed that Hawkins never reported the card as lost or stolen, and he made no reports of theft, fraud, or identity theft during the alleged transactions.
Currently incarcerated in Lake County Jail.
Charge filed December 9, 2025.
• Theft — Level 6 Felony
