Pastor who defied coronavirus ban arrested on assault charge for nearly backing up bus into protester

Louisiana pastor Tony Spell has been arrested on an aggravated assault charge, local police said. Spell is the pastor at Life Tabernacle Church who has repeatedly defied the statewide ban on large gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now he is accused of backing up a church bus near a protester outside his church on Sunday, reports CBS affiliate WAFB. After issuing an arrest warrant Monday, the Central Police Department announced Tuesday morning that Spell turned himself in and was arrested on one count of aggravated assault and improper backing. Police said he was fugitive with outstanding warrants in two nearby cities. He will be booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. -- More...