The sheriff says up to 500 people were in attendance at Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne's Sunday services.
Sheriff Chad Chronister and State Attorney Andrew Warren on Monday announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for Pastor Howard-Browne.
The River at Tampa Bay Church held two services Sunday, Chronister said, and even offered bus transportation for those services.
Howard-Browne, 58, was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Hernando County, where he lives, and released 40 minutes later after posting a $500 bond.
PREVIOUS: Tampa megachurch crowded with worshipers despite social distancing orders.
His attorney later took issue with the Hillsborough County order, claiming it allows companies like Amazon to operate while shutting down churches.
“I think it’s unfortunate that the pastor here is hiding behind the First Amendment," State Attorney Warren offered. »