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Pastor Spell says neighbor threatened his faith, flock, and family

Spell says he acted to protect his family and congregation after months of harassment, while police say the 20-year-old suffered five stitches.

  • Pastor Tony Spell was arrested on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for second-degree battery after a violent altercation with a 20-year-old neighbor on Hooper Road in Central, Louisiana. He was released the same day on a $25k bond.
  • Spell claims the neighbor threatened to "rape" his wife and grandchildren and kill them, prompting him to act as a "natural protector." He provided no audio or video evidence supporting these allegations.
  • Surveillance footage shows Spell delivering 35 punches, mostly to the head and chest, while twisting the neighbor's neck and kicking him. The 20-year-old required five stitches to his chin following the assault.
  • After his release, Spell addressed congregants at Life Tabernacle Church, citing biblical scripture to justify the violence. He told followers he had "laid hands on the sick," suggesting he fulfilled scripture through the confrontation.
  • Spell faces up to eight years in prison with a court appearance scheduled for September 15, 2026. The incident represents the latest escalation in a feud between Spell and the neighbor dating to at least 2020.
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WAFB 9 broke the news in Baton Rouge, United States on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
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