• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Florida church pastor arrested after holding Sunday services

pastor

Rodney Howard-Browne, the pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, was arrested Monday after holding crowded services in defiance of government officials amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Hernando County)

March 30, 2020
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida church pastor who drew national attention for holding services Sunday has been arrested Monday afternoon for defying government orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Rodney Howard-Browne, the pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, argued his congregation was essential, on par with Walmart. However, law enforcement officials, who said they tried to reason with him, disagreed, charging him with “unlawful assembly” and “violation of public health emergency order,” Fox 29 reported.

“We’re hoping that this serves as a deterrent,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said during a news conference Monday alongside State Attorney Andrew Warren.

  • PHOENIX COMMANDER GREG CARNICLE SHOT AND KILLED DURING CALL OF ROOMMATE DISPUTE

The pastor was arrested and released 40 minutes later in Hernando County where he lives, according to the jail.

“Shame on this pastor, their legal staff, and the leaders of this church for forcing us to do our job,” Chronister added. “That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency.”

pastor
Rodney Howard-Browne, the pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, was arrested Monday after holding crowded services in defiance of government officials amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Hernando County)

The church held two services Sunday, Chronister said, and even offered bus transportation for those services. The chuch’s livestream showed a packed crowd cheering and applauding, Fox News reported.

  • SERIAL KILLER ‘GRIM SLEEPER’ DIES AT SAN QUENTIN

“They have access to technology allowing them to livestream their services over the internet and broadcast to their 400 members from the safety of their own homes, but instead they chose to gather at church,” Chronister explained.

Warren added that “putting your parishioners at risk in a time of emergency like this is not only reckless, but illegal… Loving your neighbors is protecting them… not exposing them to this virus.”

 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Andrew WarrenRiver at Tampa Bay ChurchRodney Howard-BrowneSheriff Chad Chronister
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Rosalia Leonard Garcia

Pair arrested after eight women rescued from sex trafficking ring

October 25, 2022
Jamie Melton

Private school teacher arrested for having sex with student

September 13, 2022
Jermaine Bass

Father fatally shoots daughter, 5, critically wounds 8-year-old son

August 30, 2022
May Jean

Florida inmate comes to the aid of jail deputy during escape attack

June 20, 2022
abandoned child

Dating sheriff’s deputies dead in apparent murder-suicide

January 31, 2022
Justin Evans

Florida man posing as police officer arrested for kidnapping and rape

August 13, 2021
Load More

Latest Articles

Joseph Watson

Oklahoma airport shooter pleads guilty to 8 counts, receives split life sentence

March 27, 2023
Georgia homeowner

Georgia homeowner fatally shoots burglary suspect breaking into house

March 27, 2023
loose tire

Loose tire launches car airborne on California freeway

March 27, 2023
six young girls killed

Six young girls killed in Tennessee highway crash after car flips, passengers ejected

March 26, 2023
Border Patrol Agents

Border Patrol Agents Doubling as EMTs

March 26, 2023
Florida officer critical

Florida officer critical, suspect dead by suicide, police say

March 26, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com