Roy Moore steps in to help Louisiana pastor arrested for refusing to obey coronavirus lockdown orders

Former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and two-time U.S. Senate candidate, Roy Moore, has offered his services as an advisor for a Louisiana pastor who continues to hold church services despite lockdown orders.

Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church was arrested on Tuesday and charged with six misdemeanor counts of violating state orders limit public gatherings to 10 people or less.

According to The Advocate, Moore said that he's planning a news conference at the church this Thursday to talk about the coming legal battle, but didn't offer any more specifics.

After he was charged, Spell held another service on Tuesday evening, bringing over 1,200 worshippers. People leaving the church in Central, Louisiana, were seen hugging and shaking hands and clearly defying social distancing guidelines. According to Spell, there's no difference between keeping his church open and keeping Walmart open during the coronavirus outbreak.

We are needy people,” he said. “Our souls are lost. We need help, and the church is the salvation center of the soul, the sanctuary where we come together and meet.”