Pastor Tasered by Police in Church Parking Lot

One has to wonder, upon reading the headline, just what exactly a pastor could do that would aggravate police to the point where they would taser him? Obviously, both parties are human, and subject to human foibles, but still.

Pastor Jose Elias Moran, 42, of the Iglesia Profetica Peniel church in Texas, was tasered after (according to the incident report) allegedly interfering with a traffic stop in the church parking lot. The report goes on to say that Moran became agitated, and that Officer Raymond Berryman tried to calm him.

Webster Police Chief Ray Smiley said Pastor Jose Moran supported his officer's actions. Regarding Moran, he said:

"The officer told him to back off several times. In that situation, for the officer, he's got one gentleman to his left and one to his right. You never know what's going to happen, especially with what's happened in the last week or two."

Smiley is likely referring to the death of Houston police Officer Henry Canales, who was shot to death during an undercover operation in southwest Houston on June 24.

At the same time, from the other side of the argument come accusations that officers targeted the church because the congregation is mostly illegal immigrants from Guatemala. Besides tasering the pastor, police also pepper-sprayed to congregation to disperse them. They also dispute that Moran pushed the officer.

Moran was arrested for interfering with a public officer; Moran said he plans to sue Berryman.