Florida pastor arrested at The Villages on bigamy cost from Georgia

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A pastor who runs a ministry in a rumored swingers group for Florida seniors — and satirically wrote a ebook on the best way to love your partner — was arrested Wednesday following allegations that he married a number of girls.

Leslie Williams, 62, was taken into custody on the sprawling retirement middle, The Villages, on an impressive warrant out of Georgia tied to a bigamy cost, based on the Sumter County Sheriff’s Workplace in Florida.

He's at present being held with out bond as a result of his standing as an out-of-state fugitive, with authorized holds stemming from Rockdale County, Georgia.

"Florida marriage data had been obtained and confirmed that Leslie Williams was nonetheless lawfully married on the time of the next marriage," the Rockdale County Sheriff's Workplace instructed Fox Information Digital. "Based mostly on these data, a warrant was obtained for Leslie Williams for the cost of bigamy."

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Leslie Williams takes a selfie as he rides a golf cart. (Leslie Williams/Fb)

Issues had been first raised when a complainant reported the alleged bigamy to the Haines Metropolis Police Division in Florida, officers stated. The case was later transferred to Georgia after data confirmed Williams’ earlier marriage had been licensed in Rockdale County.

In keeping with Williams’ Fb web page, the pastor had indicated he had been married for years, courting again to not less than 2018, earlier than a latest December submit introduced a brand new marriage to a lady named Cindi.

"Thanks for all of the fantastic feedback referencing my saved, lovely and proficient spouse, Mrs. Williams!" he wrote within the submit, which featured a photograph of the girl as his up to date cowl picture.

One buddy, nonetheless, reacted to the celebratory information with some skepticism.

"Wow I believed you had been already married. Congratulations!!" the commenter wrote.

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A mugshot shows 62-year-old Florida pastor and marriage recommendation creator Leslie Williams. (Sumter County Sheriff's Workplace)

When one other buddy requested if the announcement was actual, Williams responded, "Sure preacher!!!! THE HAPPIEST MAN on earth!!"

Nevertheless, exercise on his Facebook page suggests the connection might have turned rocky within the months that adopted.

The duvet photograph that includes his new spouse was eliminated roughly two months later and changed with a picture of a automotive, based on his account exercise.

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His relationship standing was additionally modified from "married" to "single."

Paperwork present the warrant for his arrest was then issued on April 3 by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Workplace in Georgia.

Williams is at present being held for extradition on the Sumter County Detention Middle in Florida in accordance with the warrant stipulations.

Residents dance within the sq. of the Villages retirement group outdoors of Orlando, Florida, on October 4, 2016. (RHONA WISE/AFP through Getty Photographs)

The arrest got here after the pastor had printed a 2017 ebook titled "Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has By no means Been Deeper." In keeping with its abstract, the ebook aimed to foster a "never-failing" love by emphasizing biblical commitments to strengthen marriages.

"In a time the place there's a high divorce rate in the church , LHLT exhibits males [the] depth of Christ's love for His bride for instance for each man to like his bride with the identical energy, sacrifice and dedication," a canopy poster for the ebook acknowledged.

The 62-year-old additionally described himself as "an apologist and trainer of the phrase of God with related and well timed messages for the physique of Christ," based on his ebook.

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He additionally runs Leslie Williams Ministries positioned inside The Villages, his web site stated.

In keeping with the Related Press, The Villages is likely one of the largest retirement communities on the planet positioned outdoors of Orlando, the place long-running rumors of swingers, public sexual encounters and unusually excessive charges of sexually transmitted illnesses have surfaced over time.