Louisiana pastor Tony Spell was arrested on a felony second-degree battery charge after surveillance video allegedly showed him assaulting a 20-year-old neighbor. Spell says he acted to protect his family from alleged threats, while the neighbor's family denies those claims. Police say the incident is the latest in a long-running dispute that began during the 2020 pandemic.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana pastor Tony Spell was arrested on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after a long-running dispute with a neighbor turned violent. Authorities charged the Life Tabernacle Church pastor with felony second-degree battery following an incident in Central, Louisiana.
Surveillance and cellphone videos appear to show Spell running across Hooper Road before confronting and physically assaulting his 20-year-old neighbor. The footage shows the two in a struggle before bystanders stepped in.
The 20-year-old was taken to a local hospital with facial and chest injuries. Sheriff's deputies arrested Spell later that day and booked him into custody.
The incident is the latest legal challenge for Spell, who drew national attention in 2020 after refusing to comply with COVID-19 public health restrictions and continuing in-person church services during the pandemic.
Official Statement:
"He said, 'Tony, I'm gonna rape your wife, I'm gonna rape all of your grandchildren... The next time you go out of town, I'm gonna kill them, and what the F are you going to do about it?' ... I have a duty and obligation to do what I did."
— Pastor Tony Spell’s defense
What Happened?
According to the arrest affidavit and home surveillance footage released by the victim's family, the incident began when Tony Spell left his church property and crossed Hooper Road to confront his 20-year-old neighbor.
The video appears to show the two getting into a physical fight, during which Spell allegedly struck the young man several times. Investigators also say Spell made threats during the confrontation.
The 20-year-old was taken to a local hospital for treatment of facial and chest injuries before being released.
Deputies with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office later arrested Spell and charged him with felony second-degree battery.
Spell's attorney, Jeff Wittenbrink, disputed the allegations, saying the pastor was acting to protect his family. The case remains under investigation.
Pastor Tony Spell during the June 23 incident where he allegedly assaulted his young neighbor over graphic threats made against his family.
Long-Running Dispute
Authorities say the incident is part of a long-running dispute between Tony Spell and the Sherwin family that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Spell gained national attention after continuing in-person church services despite state public health restrictions. The dispute later led to a lawsuit filed by Spell against the Sherwin family and former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
According to the Sherwin family, tensions increased after the lawsuit was dismissed by the court just days before Tuesday's confrontation. Spell has not publicly linked the incident to the court's decision.
After his arrest, Spell was released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a $25,000 bond. Despite the pending felony charge, he returned to lead his church's midweek service later that day.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced whether additional charges will be filed.
Editor's Note
This incident highlights how long-running personal disputes can quickly escalate into violence. While video footage has brought widespread attention to the case, the investigation and legal process are still ongoing.
Daily Brief Global encourages readers to avoid drawing conclusions before all evidence is presented in court. We will continue to follow the case and provide updates as additional facts and official statements become available.
What are your thoughts on this case? Should long-running neighborhood disputes be handled more quickly before they turn violent? Share your views in the comments below, and follow Daily Brief Global for verified updates as the investigation continues.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is based on official statements, police reports, and verified media sources available at the time of publication. As the investigation remains ongoing, some details may change as new evidence emerges. Daily Brief Global does not speculate on the guilt or innocence of any individual and will update this story as additional verified information becomes available.
