FILE - In a Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 file photo, Pastor Westley West, from Faith Empowered Ministries, leads protesters as they march towards Pratt Street and the Inner Harbor, in Baltimore, as the first court hearing was set to begin for six police officers criminally charged in the death of Freddie Gray. West was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 9, a week after police say he blocked traffic while protesting during pre-trial hearings in the Freddie Gray case. He is charged with attempting to incite a riot, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace, false imprisonment and failure to obey. (Lloyd Fox/The Baltimore Sun via AP, File) WASHINGTON EXAMINER OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)
BALTIMORE – A Baltimore pastor has been arrested a week after police say he blocked traffic while protesting during pre-trial hearings in the Freddie Gray case.
Police say they arrested 27-year-old Westley West on Wednesday after obtaining a warrant charging him with attempting to incite a riot, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace, false imprisonment and failure to obey.
Online court records show West is charged with walking on a road where a sidewalk is provided, but don't list a lawyer.
Police say they recorded West, the pastor at Faith Empowered Ministries, stepping in front of a pickup truck and hitting the hood with his bullhorn. Others joined West blocking traffic, but fled when officers approached.
The arrest came a day before another pre-trial hearing for six officers charged in the death of Gray, a 25-year-old black man fatally injured in police custody.
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