Pastor Pleads To Deep-Frying Bid On McDonald's Worker

SEPTEMBER 12--The North Carolina pastor accused of assaulting a McDonald’s cook and shoving the victim’s head “toward the deep fryer,” has pleaded guilty to the fast-food fracas, records show.

Dwayne Waden, 57, was busted in December following a violent confrontation at the High Point restaurant where his wife was employed.

Waden arrived at the McDonald’s after his spouse, a manager in training, called him to report that employees were “disrespecting” her. Latoya Gladney, 45, told cops she wanted Waden to “assist her” with the workplace issue.

Waden cops said, walked into the McDonald’s kitchen and began walloping cook Theodore Garlington in the face. He also allegedly wrapped his hands around Garlington’s neck and began “pushing his head toward the deep fryer.”

Other workers interceded before the victim was rendered golden brown.

Garlington suffered “a large contusion to the forehead and right eye, along with scratches on his neck,” according to a police report.

Waden, seen above, was arrested for the attack.

During a recent court hearing, Waden copped to a misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to serve a few weeks in the county jail. While a court order indicates that Waden’s “prior number of convictions to be 5,” those priors are not further detailed.

Waden’s Facebook page identifies him as pastor of Elevated Life International Ministries, which has operated from a storefront space in Thomasville that is principally occupied by the Turn Around Christian Center.

The online profile lists Waden as a “Semi Truck Driver” and former School of Divinity student at Shaw University in Raleigh. (2 pages)