Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is facing charges of aggravated assault after his arrest in the East Baton Rouge Parish town of Central today. According to police, Spell backed up a bus toward a protester Sunday.
Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran said since Spell wanted to be arrested at his church this morning with a press conference, he was taken into custody at the Central Police Department instead.
“We told his attorney that we would not be coming to his church to take custody of him, he would turn himself into the police department. And there directly we got a phone call that from the attorney that they were going to change their press conference to here,” said Corcoran.
The press conference Spell planned never happened, as police took Spell into custody as soon as he arrived.
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants. Spell’s attorney, Joe Long, said the pastor was only going to confront the protester, not run him over.
“The protester has been antagonizing the congregation for over two weeks. The pastor was going to go out and confront him. He was backing his bus up to so he could get out and talk to him. His wife convinced him not to confront the protester and so he drove off,” said Long.
When questioned if today’s arrest would deter Spell from holding large services as opposed to live stream, Corcoran said he wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know what he’ll do, he hasn’t listened to anything that anyone’s told him. He’s still having his church services, he’s not listening to the governor’s order or the president’s order,” said Corcoran.
Long said the church plans to hold services tonight as usual. Spell was released after he posted bond.