Baltimore Pastor Jailed Following Sept. 2 Freddie Gray Protests

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--A prominent local pastor has been released from jail Thursday afternoon after police charged him with attempting to incite a riot in the wake of last week's hearings in the Freddie Gray case.

WJZ's Derek Valcourt has the latest.

Reverend Westly West, of Faith Empowered Ministries, is out of jail after he was taken into custody last night. The arrest comes more than a week after his accused crimes and one day before a critical hearing in the Freddie Gray case.

"I think my influence, by me having influence, they did not want me here for today's hearing,"said West.

According to police, following the conclusion of peaceful protests on September 2, Westley West allegedly lead a group of assembled protesters southbound on Guilford Avenue which blocked traffic.

YouTube video released by Baltimore Police shows the incident unfold.

Police say the protesters proceeded westbound on Lombard Street and then southbound on South Calvert Street, all walking in the lanes of traffic.

Baltimore Police's aviation unit Foxtrot observed a lone protestor, later identified as West, using a bullhorn, standing in the middle of the 200 block of East Pratt Street near the intersection of South Calvert Street. Police say during this time, West deliberately stepped in front of a red 2008 Ford F150 pick-up truck, walking backwards at times, attempting to stop the vehicle under his own manpower. West is accused of striking the hood of the F150 with his bullhorn and deliberately leaning into the truck.

"Mr. West appeared to be agitated and his observed actions were violent and hostile in nature," said Baltimore Police Spokesperson T.J. Smith.

Moments after the incident police say they approached the group that was forming with West, but they began to flee and officers did not pursue.

"After September 2, we were able to positively identify West and get information from the victim inside the car who came forward," Smith said.

Valcourt : "Do you think you did anything wrong that day?"

"No. Until they showed me the video of me damaging that car, which I know I did not do, then I know of course I'm innocent," said West. "I put my hand out toward the vehicle to stop. They're telling me the reason why I was just arrested on yesterday was because it took them a week to identify me."

Valcourt: "They said you ran from the scene. Did you run from the scene?"

"I didn't run from the scene," he said.

"What Pastor West did was a crime. It's not fair to anyone who wants to protest the right way," said Smith. "We hope people look at the video of West and put one of their loved ones in the scenario that the person in that car was in."

West was charged with attempting to incite a riot, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbance of peace, false imprisonment and failure to obey.

West says his arrest will not stop him from participating in future protests.