Defiant Pastor Arrested Following Incident With Protester Outside Church

A Louisiana pastor who has held church services in defiance of a state ban on large gatherings was arrested following an incident with a protester outside of his church. On Sunday (April 19), a lone protester parked outside of the Life Tabernacle Church in the city of Central to voice their displeasure with the church's pastor, Tony Spell, for refusing to cancel church services during the coronavirus pandemic.

When Spell arrived at the church driving a bus, he backed up dangerously close to the protester. He was charged with aggravated assault and turned himself in on Tuesday (April 21) morning. Spell's attorney, Joseph Long, is confident that his client will be vindicated.

"A fair viewing of the video will prove that Spell did not attempt to run over the protester, and the protester did not feel threatened, as he never moved when the bus came near," Long said.

Spell is also facing six misdemeanor charges for disobeying the governor's stay-at-home order.

Photo: Getty Images