Bishop TD Jakes dismisses his defamation lawsuit against pastor who accused him of sexual assault
- IGMC Staff
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
A federal lawsuit filed by Bishop T.D. Jakes against Pittsburgh-area pastor, Duane Youngblood, has been jointly dismissed, marking the end of a year-long legal dispute that drew national attention.
The voluntary dismissal was filed on October 16, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Background of the Case
The conflict began in early 2024, when Pastor Duane Youngblood, 59, appeared in two podcast interviews hosted by Atlanta-based YouTuber, Larry Reid. In those podcasts, Youngblood accused Bishop T.D. Jakes of attempted sexual assault when Youngblood was around 18 or 19 years old.
According to the lawsuit, shortly after the second podcast aired, Youngblood allegedly tried to extort Jakes for $6 million, threatening to sue if the bishop did not comply.
Jakes firmly denied the allegations and responded by filing a defamation lawsuit on November 25, 2024, accusing Youngblood of spreading false and damaging statements, misusing his likeness, and engaging in online defamation and harassment.
Dramatic Turn of Events
Just one day before filing the lawsuit, Bishop Jakes suffered a heart attack while preaching at The Potter’s House, the Dallas megachurch he founded. The incident drew widespread media attention- both for the bishop’s public health scare and the rapidly escalating controversy surrounding the lawsuit.
Throughout the case, Jakes maintained that the allegations made by both Duane Youngblood and his brother, Richard Youngblood, were completely false. His legal team described the statements as "defamatory" and "an unauthorized use of personal likeness for promotional purposes."
Responses from the Defense
Pastor Youngblood, leader of The Church of the Harvest in Pittsburgh, denied wrongdoing through his attorneys. His legal team argued that the podcasts contained protected opinions and commentary on matters of public concern.
Youngblood’s background added further public scrutiny to the case; he is a twice-convicted felon for child sex abuse. Despite his past convictions, his attorneys insisted the lawsuit against him was unfounded and should be dismissed.
Court Complications and Attorney Sanctions
As the case unfolded, filings eventually involved Jakes’ son, Jermaine, though court documents did not specify the extent of his role.
In early October 2025, the situation took another turn when Youngblood’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, withdrew from the case. His withdrawal followed sanctions imposed by U.S. District Judge , who found that some of Blackburn’s legal filings contained fabricated citations and misrepresentations.
Case Dismissed Without Prejudice
On October 16, attorneys for both sides filed a joint Notice of Dismissal under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The filing stated that the case was dismissed "by consent of all parties who have appeared," meaning no judicial order was required.
Because the notice was filed under this rule, the dismissal took effect immediately upon filing, and no further court opinion is expected.
Importantly, the case was dismissed "without prejudice," which means Bishop Jakes retains the right to refile the lawsuit in the future if necessary.
What the Dismissal Means
Legal analysts note that joint dismissals of this type often indicate that the parties have reached a private agreement or settlement, or have mutually decided that continuing litigation no longer serves their best interests.
While neither side has issued a public statement, the dismissal effectively closes the high-profile and deeply personal legal chapter for one of America’s most influential faith leaders.
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