A pastor in Tampa held a Sunday service and packed house of 500 people attended. He's been arrested.
Tampa megachurch pastor arrested after leading packed services despite '''safer-at-home''' orders | FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Howard-Browne, 58, was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Hernando County, where he lives, and released 40 minutes later after posting a $500 bond.
Prior to the arrest, Chronister said, deputies had tried to speak to Howard-Browne on at least two separate occasions about the "dangerous environment" the church was creating. He said HCSO command staff went to the east Tampa church to speak to the pastor, but they were advised by church leaders and legal staff that Howard-Browne was refusing either to see them or to cancel the Sunday church services.
“I think it’s unfortunate that the pastor here is hiding behind the First Amendment," State Attorney Warren offered. "One, it’s absolutely clear that emergency orders like this are constitutional and valid. Second of all, leaders from our faith-based community across this country have embraced the importance of social distancing.”
