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Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, Fla., says he has obtained an arrest warrant for Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of The River at Tampa Bay Church for holding large services and "intentionally and repeatedly" disregarding orders to avoid large gatherings.
"His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week in danger," Chronister says.
Chronister says the authorities advised the church's lawyers that they would be endangering people by violating social distancing and stay at home orders. The sheriff sent members of his command staff to the church to convey the same message but the pastor refused to meet them.
Chronister: "They have access to technology allowing them to livestream their services over the internet and broadcast television for more than their 4,000 members to watch from the safety of their own homes. Instead, they encouraged people to come and gather at church."
The church even provided bus transportation for members. It held two Sunday services.
Chronister says the arrest warrant is for two second-degree misdemeanor charges: unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules.
Chronister: "Our goal here is not to stop anyone form worshipping, but the safety and well-being of our community must always come first."
Developing story here: nytimes.com/2020/03/30/us/…
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