Things are finally catching up to Pastor Tony Spell of the Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After refusing to cancel church services because of coronavirus and nearly running over a protestor with a bus, he’s finally been taken into police custody.
Just to recap: Last month, Spell was charged with six misdemeanors after he bussed in over 1,800 people for his Sunday service. He insisted that “God will shield us from all harm and sickness!” Since then, at least one of his parishioners has died of COVID-19 and his personal attorney is currently in the hospital after testing positive for the virus.
Related: Lawyer for defiant pastor hospitalized for COVID-19 insists he didn’t get the virus at church
Then on Sunday, Spell got into a heated altercation with Trey Bennett, who was protesting outside of the church with a sign that read “CAUTION: Coronavirus incubator. Do not enter. You may die.” The interaction ultimately led to Spell backing up a church bus in Bennett’s direction.
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The entire thing was caught on video.
#BREAKING Central Pastor Tony Spell has a warrant out for his arrest for an incident with a protestor that happened on Sunday. Watch below. ?? ???? @BRProudNews pic.twitter.com/mEaSJkPpt5
— Abbi Rocha (@AbbiRochaTV) April 20, 2020
“At first I thought he was just turning around his bus and was going to pull away,” Bennett told local media, “but he just kept coming in reverse.”
“I could see him driving the bus. He was honking his horn loudly at me and making gestures suggesting he was yelling while he was driving.”
Yesterday, Spell was arrested in his church parking lot and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Footage of him being handcuffed began circulating online shortly after he was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
#BREAKING: Pastor Tony Spell just cuffed and en route to EBR Parish Prison. Charged with aggravated assault, improper backing, and outstanding bench warrants. Central PD releasing a statement soon. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/4hx1yQRV4N
— Graham Ulkins (@GrahamUlkins) April 21, 2020
After being booked into jail and having his mugshot taken, Spell was released a few hours later. He now says he plans to hold yet another service at his church tomorrow evening.
Related: Preachers gone wild: 5 religious leaders who refused to cancel church services (and one who died)
Invader7
Pastor Douche Bag got his comeuppance. Serves him right. Almost ran over a protester with a fricking bus. Mr. Spell has some bad juju /karma.. He’s one of those self defined “holier-than-thou” HYPOCRITES. His #1 rule : ” Don’t do as we do, do as we say.” He & his kind exempt themselves from all the BS rules they try to impose on the rest of the people. Just lowly, crappy AMORAL cowardly GREEDY deranged lunatics!! Too bad the bus didn’t run over Tony Shell…
Bob LaBlah
He’ll say to the judge “the devil made me do it” and the case will be thrown out with no fines. Welcome to Louisiana.
Troysky
….and they call gays rebellious.
Chrisk
The cops using a taser would’ve been more satisfying though.
Countervail
And how much do you want to bet that he’s worth a lot of money and won’t give any of it to COVID relief? He’s upset because he’s losing money, not that he’s not able to serve people in need.
charlie_jackpot
Exactly what he wanted – religious types love a martyr
Cam
The courts need to start understanding that religious freedom stops at the front door of these people and doesn’t allow them to endanger others. A few of these pastors going to jail will stop much of these idiots.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Dear God,
There are tens of thousands of good people being struck down by this virus. nothing would make me happier than to see he and its entire ignorant and inane
flock struck down by the deadliest virulent form of the virus ever to manifest in a body. However this aberrant noxious puss filled smcumbag is putting the lives of first responders and health care heros in danger.
Instead can we please have a massive of category 5 tornado rip through his “church” tomorrow please please please????
Jon in Canada
Praise the fake god I don’t believe in.
dinard38
Yeah, it’s just a matter of time that he comes down with coronavirus. He is ignorant, selfish, and stubborn.
Thad
Repent! Really, these “Christians” should.
ScottOnEarth
I’m pretty sure if God exists, this is not how she wants to be represented. This loser is basically mentally-ill. End of story. But, unfortunately, there are desperate souls who follow his guidance and bad example.
Zombiez8mybrain
Isn’t he the same guy that was pushing the “Stimulus Check Challenge,” practically begging people to send him their stimulus money? If so, he’s had a busy week!
D P
Hey, asshole, why don’t you set a SPELL?
Jerry
His actions are solely to build his empire. Nothing gets these people going more than a martyr.
Ricanthony
Christianity at it’s very best.
Gary Q VV
Hey there Tony boy. I always knew God would get you for one thing or another. Now, let’s see what’s next in store for you, punk!
Tombear
I say open the churches and let these Evangelicals attend. The process of natural selection is a wonderful thing.