UPDATE: The Florida pastor that held two large services at his Tampa Bay megachurch over the weekend has been arrested.

We previously reported that Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne ignored the social distancing request of the U.S. Government and the CDC, and continued with his Sunday services at the River Church.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and his team spoke at a press conference regarding the arrest.

“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people from his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week.”

According to jail records, Howard-Browne turned himself in to authorities Monday afternoon in Hernando County, where he lives. He was charged with unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order, both second-degree misdemeanors.

The county and governor’s orders require gatherings, including those held by faith-based groups, be fewer than 10 people to limit the spread of COVID-19. A live stream of Sunday’s three-and-a-half-hour church service showed scores of congregants.

In a Facebook post, Howard-Browne said coronavirus “is blown totally way out of proportion.”

On March 18, the church called its ministry an essential service, just like police and firefighters, and said it would keep its doors open.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the pastor had hired an attorney and he was still in custody as of Monday afternoon.

Bail was set at $500, according to the jail’s website.