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Anonymous ID: 147c06 March 30, 2020, 11:01 a.m. No.8624984   🗄️.is đź”—kun

Arrest warrant issued for Tampa megachurch pastor who led packed services despite safer-at-home orders

 

TAMPA, Fla. - The pastor of a Tampa megachurch is facing charges after refusing to close its doors despite a "safer at home" order in effect in Hillsborough County, meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. The sheriff of Hillsborough County says one of two Sunday services had up to 500 people in attendance.

 

Sheriff Chad Chronister and State Attorney Andrew Warren announced an arrest warrant was issued for Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne. He faces charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency order.

 

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The River at Tampa Bay 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.

 

"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 said during a press conference.

 

Chronister said Howard-Browne is not in custody yet, but said he is expected to turn himself in.

 

"We're hopeful that the congregation will realize the importance of this virus and stay at home," he said.

 

Related: Tampa megachurch crowded with worshipers despite social distancing orders

 

Chronister said deputies tried to speak to Howard-Browne on at least two separate occasions about the "dangerous environment" the church was creating. He said a command staff went to the church to speak to the pastor, but was advised by church leaders and legal staff that Howard-Browne was refusing to cancel the Sunday church services.

 

"Putting your parishioners at risk in a time of emergency like this is not only reckless, but illegal," said State Attorney Warren. "Loving your neighbors is protecting them…not exposing them to this virus."

 

On Sunday, Howard-Browne defended his decision to keep the church open in a video posted to his YouTube channel, claiming the building had the technology to eradicate any virus.

 

"We brought in 13 machines that basically kill every virus in the place," Howard-Browne said. "If they sneeze it shoots it down like at 100 miles per hour and it will neutralize it in a split second."

 

The church provided the following statement on their website:

 

"We feel that it would be wrong for us to close our doors on them, at this time, or any time. In a time of crisis, people are fearful and in need of comfort and community."

 

Chronister stressed that this not an attack on religious freedom, and noted there are other Tampa Bay-area churches who are following the social distancing guidelines set by the CDC. He said his concern now is whether the novel coronavirus may spread following the crowded services.

 

"I was appalled and also frightened at the fact that those individuals [were] thinking and believing they are doing the right thing. How many people are they going to infect if they have COVID-19?" he asked. "There is nothing more important than faith especially during a pandemic, but like every other church here in the Bay Area, do it responsibly."

 

During his announcement of the arrest warrent, other pastors from local churches also joined him.

 

Pastor Ken Whitten from Idlewild Baptist Church pointed out that quarantining is mentioned in the Bible.

 

"It was practiced by people," he said. "The issue here is not religious freedom. Churches are not the ones being singled out. Everything is shut down. There is no basketball. There is no hockey. All of us our doing our part. I'm a pastor that believes God heals…this is not a faith issue. This is a responsible friend issue."