Florida megachurch pastor arrested, charged with defying coronavirus stay-at-home orders
- The pastor of a megachurch in Tampa, Florida, was arrested on Monday on charges of holding prayer services in violation of public health orders temporarily banning such gatherings to limit the spread of coronavirus infections, authorities said.
Howard-Browne, originally from South Africa, was arrested at his home under a warrant charging him with misdemeanor offenses of unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules, the sheriff's office said later. Chronister said his office had contacted the church's attorneys and its leaders at least twice over the weekend imploring them to cancel Sunday's services at the Pentecostal church, to no avail.
Members of the congregation, many standing shoulder to shoulder, although some apparently separated in church by empty seats, cheered and applauded his remarks, the Times said.
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