WEBSTER, Texas (WPIX) - Things got rowdy inside a Texas church parking lot after police whipped out a taser gun on a pastor and used pepper spray on his congregants, after the holy leader apparently interfered with a traffic stop.
Jose Elias Moran, pastor of the Iglesia Profectica Penial church in Webster, held an early morning prayer service for congregants on Wednesday when, according to authorities, one of his church members was pulled over by police.
According to a police report, Moran went outside to assist in the matter and reportedly became outraged and proceeded to push police Officer Raymond Berryman. Moran then went back inside the church and later returned with 40 church goers, said police.
However, Moran's congregants are spinning another tale. They say Moran rushed into the church after Officer Berryman grew violent and began yelling. In addition, Moran's family is disputing claims that the pastor even laid one finger on the officer.
Moran's son, Miguel, said more than two-dozen-people saw the officer turn violent, repeatedly kick the church door and zap Moran with a taser gun. Several people also claim they were hit with pepper spray.
Moran's wife, Maria, said police threatened to send her to jail after she tried to assist her husband after he was hit.
Moran, who had a brief hospital stay for minor injuries, has hired an attorney and plans to file charges against the officer.
"They treated him as if he were a drug dealer or murderer, but he is a pastor that tries to help the community," said Miguel Moran. "The police always want to be right but they are not."
Police have remained tight-lipped on the matter, only saying Moran was arrested and bail was being negotiated.
Jose Elias Moran, pastor of the Iglesia Profectica Penial church in Webster, held an early morning prayer service for congregants on Wednesday when, according to authorities, one of his church members was pulled over by police.
According to a police report, Moran went outside to assist in the matter and reportedly became outraged and proceeded to push police Officer Raymond Berryman. Moran then went back inside the church and later returned with 40 church goers, said police.
However, Moran's congregants are spinning another tale. They say Moran rushed into the church after Officer Berryman grew violent and began yelling. In addition, Moran's family is disputing claims that the pastor even laid one finger on the officer.
Moran's son, Miguel, said more than two-dozen-people saw the officer turn violent, repeatedly kick the church door and zap Moran with a taser gun. Several people also claim they were hit with pepper spray.
Moran's wife, Maria, said police threatened to send her to jail after she tried to assist her husband after he was hit.
Moran, who had a brief hospital stay for minor injuries, has hired an attorney and plans to file charges against the officer.
"They treated him as if he were a drug dealer or murderer, but he is a pastor that tries to help the community," said Miguel Moran. "The police always want to be right but they are not."
Police have remained tight-lipped on the matter, only saying Moran was arrested and bail was being negotiated.
