Local church service begins with an arrest

Posted 11/5/20

Families attending a church service at a local Baptist Church Sunday night Nov. 1, were interrupted by a man the church pastor described as “acting strange.”

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Local church service begins with an arrest

Posted

OKEECHOBEE — Families attending a church service at a local Baptist Church Sunday night Nov. 1, were interrupted by a man the church pastor described as “acting strange.” Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Cauley responded to a call regarding an anonymous tip. The caller said Mitchell Cordell, 28, was seen at the church. The caller added that he knew there was a warrant out for Cordell’s arrest.

When Deputy Cauley arrived at the church, he saw Cordell in the parking lot, and Cordell immediately went inside the church. Deputy Cauley spoke to the pastor of the church and asked if he knew the man. The pastor told him he did not know Cordell, and that he had been acting strange.

Because he knew from previous interactions with Cordell that he is often armed with a firearm and there were many families with children inside the church, Deputy Cauley decided to enter the church to find Cordell and bring him outside, away from the bystanders. When he reached Cordell and asked him to go outside, Cordell reportedly became aggressive and began yelling profanities. Cordell was asked to lower his voice and stop using profane language inside the church, but reportedly refused. Deputy Cauley informed him he was going to arrest him and charge him with disorderly conduct and grabbed his arm to escort him outside. At that point, Cordell attempted to get away and allegedly struck Deputy Cauley in the face. With help from the pastor and another church member, Deputy Cauley was able to gain control and place Cordell in wrist restraints. He was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail, where he was reportedly found to be in possession of a syringe which tested positive for methamphetamine.

Cordell was charged with resisting an officer with violence, battery on law enforcement, introduction of contraband into a detention facility and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $15,250.

arrests, arrest, Mitchell Cordell, warrant

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