Tampa Pastor Faces Arrest for Service During Pandemic

TAMPA -- Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister has issued an arrest warrant for a megachurch pastor who held a Sunday service in apparent violation of the county's "safer at home" order.

Chronister says Hernando deputies will serve Rodney Howard-Browne with misdemeanor warrants from State Attorney Andrew Warren. He's accused of unlawful assembly and violation of emergency order.

According to the sheriff and various media reports, Browne held services at "The River Tampa Bay Church" Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Chronister says the pastor is in the process of turning himself in. The church's lawyers are negotiating with the county.

As of Monday, 238 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hillsborough County, with two deaths.

Photo: Getty Images


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