Louisiana Pastor Tony Spell Arrested After Alleged Assault on Neighbor’s Son
CENTRAL, Louisiana — Pastor Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church has been arrested after authorities accused him of assaulting his neighbor’s 20-year-old son during an altercation outside the church.
According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Spell was arrested on a charge of second-degree battery following the incident. Authorities said he later posted bond and was released the same day.
Newly released home surveillance video appears to show Spell and the 20-year-old exchanging punches near the shoulder of a roadway. The footage then appears to show Spell taking the man to the ground before continuing to strike him.
The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained during the altercation.
According to reports, the confrontation stems from an ongoing dispute between Spell and the Sherwin family that dates back to 2020. The dispute began after Spell filed a lawsuit over surveillance cameras installed at the Sherwins’ home, which sits directly across the street from Life Tabernacle Church on Hooper Road.
After his release from jail, Spell told reporters, “The truth will come out in court” on Sept. 15 and said he planned to return to the pulpit to deliver a “red-hot sermon.”
The case remains pending.
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