Florida Pastor Rodney Howard Arrested For Holding Sunday Services, Violating Social Distancing Orders

Pastor Rodney Howard was arrested in Tampa, Florida after detectives said he held two Sunday services with hundreds of people which violated the public health emergency orders for “social distancing” due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Howard stated, “We are not stopping anything. I’ve got news for you, this church will never close. The only time the church is closed is when the Rapture is taking place.”

On Monday afternoon in Hernando County, Howard turned himself in to authorities. According to the jail’s website, his bail was set at $500 and he was released soon after posting his bond. 

In another video, Howard posted on his private Twitter account, he said that he was excited that the pandemic could be the end of days.

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“For me, it doesn’t matter… Jesus is coming really, really soon,” he said in the clip.