UNICOI COUNTY, TN (WJHL) – A Unicoi man is behind bars tonight after Sheriff deputies say he assaulted a pastor during service Sunday evening. Authorities say it happened just after 7:00pm at Marbleton Free Baptist Church.
Authorities say Christopher Sneed ran up the aisle to the pastor with his fist clinched and punched him in the back of the head. Members of the congregation told sheriff deputies that Sneed started cursing and yelling, he then ran out of the church where several members of the congregation followed him while on the phone with 911.
He was arrested by deputies not too far from the church. Unicoi County Chief Deputy Sheriff Frank Rogers said, “We are thankful that there is only minor injuries to the pastor and you know its just a tragic event, its troubling at the lack of respect for the church.”
Sneed has been charged with disorderly conduct, assault, and a drug violation for paraphernalia found in his possession. He has been taken to the Unicoi County Jail. Seed is expected to appear in court Monday morning.Copyright 2016 WJHL. All rights reserved.
