Pastor gets Tasered in police incident

WEBSTER, Texas (AP) - Police in Webster, Texas used a Taser on a pastor and pepper spray to disperse members of his congregation after police said the pastor tried to interfere with a traffic stop of a member of his church.

Officials charged Jose Elias Moran, 42, Monday with interfering in the duties of a police officer during a traffic stop on the Iglesia Profetica Peniel parking lot southeast of Houston.

The family posted bail for Moran Monday night, and Moran said he planned to hire an attorney to file charges against the officer.

The family saw Moran at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center for the first time Monday night. He is being kept overnight for additional tests.

An incident report on the department's Web site said Officer Raymond Berryman tried to calm Moran and arrest him. However, police said he pushed the officer, went inside the church and returned with 40 other congregants.

The family disputed the police account, saying Moran did not lay a hand on the police officer.