WEBSTER, Texas (AP) _ Webster police used a Taser on a pastor and pepper spray to disperse members of his congregation after police say the pastor tried to interfere with a traffic stop of a member of his church.
Jose Elias Moran was charged today with interfering in the duties of a police officer during a traffic stop on the Iglesia Profetica Peniel parking lot southeast of Houston.
The family posted bail for Moran Wednesday night.
Speaking from his hospital bed Wednesday night, Moran told The Associated Press he planned to hire an attorney to file charges against the officer.
The family saw Moran, 42, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center for the first time late Wednesday. He’s being kept overnight for additional tests.
An incident report on the department’s Web site said Officer Raymond Berryman tried to calm Moran and arrest him. But police say he pushed the officer, went inside the church and returned with 40 other congregants.
The family disputed the police account, saying Moran did not lay a hand on the police officer.