Louisiana Pastor Who Nearly Hit Protester, Bailed Out By Wife

Louisiana Pastor Tony Spell was bailed out by his wife Shaye, who flashed $5,000 in cash as she made her way to the local jail. She was able to bring her husband home after paying the bail set for the release of the evangelist.

Hugging The Headlines

The pastor has been hugging local headlines lately because he refused to follow the state’s stay-at-home orders. He was reported to hold in-person church services despite being advised to forego such activities to prevent a large gathering of people. Spell believed that his church should be exempted from such orders being an “essential service.” He also said that the coronavirus scare is politically motivated.

The state has been keeping the evangelist under its watchful eye because he tended to disregard state social distancing guidelines by again holding in-person services. He was previously charged with six misdemeanors for violation of a ban against the gathering of more than 10 people. Each violation carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of $500. He was reported to have stated that he will continue to ignore such a ban because God told him to.

Taken Into Custody

His arrest Tuesday, however, has nothing to do with his defiance of the state ban on public gatherings. According to Louisiana’s WAFB 9 News, the evangelist was taken into custody and detained in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for almost hitting a protester with the church bus. A warrant for Spell’s arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was issued by the police in Central, Louisiana.

The details of the charge reportedly mentioned that Pastor Spell allegedly backed the church bus dangerously near a man who was protesting his holding of in-person church services. The incident was caught by a security camera.

Released On Bail

By Tuesday noon, Spell’s wife went to pay the $5,000 bail, and before the end of the day, the evangelist was free. Shaye was seen by cameras and supporters fanning out the money that she was going to use in paying the bail. As the evangelist emerged from prison, he immediately flashed a “V” for victory sign, and his flock who gathered to see him released raised their hands in worship and cheered.

The evangelist also gave a press conference after his release, where he told reporters that he is not guilty of any charges filed against him. He also dismissed allegations filed against him about an assault with a deadly weapon. He also said he is not guilty of defying state guidelines and orders. Pastor Spell told reporters, “The only thing I am guilty of is practicing my faith, which was given to me by Jesus Christ himself.”