Tulsa Woman Says 'Minister' Accused Of Embezzlement Bilked Her Out Of $1,000

A Tulsa woman wanted on embezzlement charges has been arrested in Idaho.

Melody Miles is accused of taking money for remodeling work that was never done. She was taken into custody last week after speaking in a Caldwell, Idaho church.

Melody Miles and her husband, Kenneth Miles, have now started their own ministry, but four years ago, investigators say, they embezzled money from three Green Country families.

All Terri Houck ever wanted was to get her kitchen cabinets remodeled. She got in touch with Kenneth and Melody Miles.

In 2008, they ran a company called Barrington Design and Remodel.

"They just were very nice," Houck said.

The Miles' did a test run on one of Houck's cabinets. She liked what she saw a gave them a $1,000 deposit.

10/5/2013 Related Story: 'Minister' Arrested At Idaho Church On Tulsa County Embezzlement Warrant

A week before they were to come do the work, Houck said, they told her they couldn't do it, because Melody was in the hospital. Then, they told her they had booked too many jobs, and they couldn't give her the deposit back, because it had already been spent.

"My heart sank, because that's a lot of money," Houck said.

The Miles' are accused of doing the same thing to two other couples, from 2008 to 2010.

In one case, according to detectives, they took more than $3,300. In another, court records show a couple opened a credit card for the Miles' to use, but noticed unauthorized purchases and materials that were bought but never delivered. In all, the couple lost at least $25,000.

Today, Kenneth and Melody run Miles Global Ministry. Their website claims they lead crusades and train ministers around the world. The ministry's address matches a mail and shipping store at 101st and Sheridan.

Last Wednesday, Melody Miles was arrested on the Oklahoma charges after speaking at a church in Caldwell, Idaho where she was asking for donations for her ministry.

Three days later, she wrote on their Facebook page, "I have been advised by a few to remain silent. I can see where there is wisdom in that, but the problem with my situation is that there is a small fraction of truth in what is being said which easily makes the whole thing believable..."

Houck is still waiting to get her money back.

She said the incident has changed her life and hopes others learn from what happened to her.

Houck has the following advice anyone thinking of hiring a contractor: "Get several references from past patrons of theirs before you hire them and before you give them any down payment."

Kenneth Miles was arrested in May.

Tulsa authorities said they are waiting to see if Melody Miles signs papers allowing her to be extradited back to Oklahoma. If not, Governor Mary Fallin would then have to request extradition.

Messages left for Kenneth and Melody Miles were not returned.