Pastor Agrees Not To Rock The Boat And Stop Preaching On Ferry

By Frank Donnelly / Staten Island Advance
Religion News Service

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (RNS) Technically, Michael Ihedioha still can hawk salvation aboard the Staten Island Ferry.

But odds are that the preacher who scuffled with cops on the boat will remain mum -- or greatly reduce the volume -- during the 25-minute ride, after cutting a plea deal on April 21 to a misdemeanor obstruction charge.

Ihedioha will be sentenced on June 18 to three years' probation stemming from an Oct. 23 incident on a ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island.

According to court records, Ihedioha, 47, a Nigerian native, was preaching around 12:45 a.m. with his arms outstretched, blocking an aisle. A police officer aboard the Staten Island-bound boat approached and told Ihedioha three times to keep moving. The preacher remained put.

As the officer tried to arrest him, Ihedioha planted his feet, flailed his arms and yelled, "You're breaking my arm," said prosecutors. After the preacher was taken to a "secure location," he allegedly bit the officer's forearm, bruising it.

Ihedioha was charged with felony second-degree assault, as well as obstructing government administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Under the April 21 deal, Ihedioha, 47, pastor of Christ the Lord Evangelistic Association, agreed to ride the ferry only for transportation and to abide by all posted rules, said William J. Smith, spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan.

"Seeking to ban him from preaching on the boats could constitute a violation of his First Amendment rights, but we are asking that the defendant use the ferry terminal only for traveling and not engage in behavior seen as harassing other patrons," said Smith.

The spokesman said the defendant could be re-sentenced if he violates those conditions.

Ihedioha, who sources said is also known as Michael Nwadiuko, is one of several preachers who rove the ferries spouting Scripture and moral messages -- often loudly -- to some riders' dismay.

Ihedioha's lawyer, Ronald A. Gregg, said his client didn't relinquish any rights but agreed not to break any rules aboard the boat. "This was an unfortunate incident, and both parties agreed it would be better to resolve it than go to trial," said Gregg.

Comments

[rbenjamin]

06:09 PM on 04/28/2010

I'll stop parking cars in your church if you stop preaching on my ferry.

[Kat Tj]

02:43 PM on 04/28/2010

This man, and all others like him, should really reread their own bibles. Mathew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Jesus also said that "anyone who prays in public is a hypocrite and does not love me."

I just hate people who try to force their beliefs down everyones throats, especially when it is forbidden in the bible.

[SensibleJoe]

10:04 PM on 04/27/2010

Ihedioha needs to re-read the gospels again. Jesus said "If someone smacks you on one cheek, turn the other one to him as well" (Luke 6:29) -- not "Bite other human beings, especially when they've done nothing but tell you to stop blocking other people and to obey the law." Ihedioha's behavior is rooted in egoism, not Christianity.

[vonric]

08:58 PM on 04/27/2010

I am reminded of the time I was upgraded on a four-hour flight and was settling nicely into my comfortable seat when, lo and behold, a charming man sat down next to me and apropos of absolutely nothing, asked me if ".....I had been washed in the blood of the lamb...". I pondered a response, then replied that, indeed, my wife and I had filled the hot tub with thirty gallons of lamb's blood, and had quite a party.

I flew the four hours in blessed silence.

I really don't like people that prosyltize

[MNKen]

08:06 AM on 04/29/2010

Well played !! fanned for that response!

[Zanubiyah]

07:49 PM on 04/27/2010

Why is this even news?

The man was blocking an aisle, and when told to move along, he refused. When the officer tried to arrest him, he claimed he was being abused. When the officer got him to a 'secure area' he bit the officer. I would have to say that the officer was very patient and showed alot of restraint.

Sounds like, dispite his annoying the rest of the people on the boat, he broke the law, and deserved more jail than he got.

The preacher made a compromise...he would let other people enjoy thier ferry ride by not having him blocking thier path and yelling, and the police wouldn not give him the penalty he deserves. Of course, he can claim his constitutional right, and serve his time in jail. It was his choice...he got a bargain, and the people on the ferry got peace. It really doesnt matter what he was yelling...whether religious, or secular, he was being disrespectful to the other passangers, and showing disregard for the law.

Win...win. no complaints.

[booboopickle]

05:32 PM on 04/27/2010

There is nothing so obnoxious as some pin head christian so sure of his delusion. they are a menace to normal people, much like flies at a picnic.

[mjeffn]

07:00 PM on 04/27/2010

great simile - "flies at a picnic"

fanned

[LJIESQ]

05:01 PM on 04/27/2010

Somebody get the duct tape.

[nexxtep54]

03:45 PM on 04/27/2010

"Seeking to ban him from preaching on the boats could constitute a violation of his First Amendment rights, but we are asking that the defendant use the ferry terminal only for traveling and not engage in behavior seen as harassing other patrons," said Smith.

Never mind everyone else's right to a peaceful trip. If it were some kid with a ghetto-blaster he'd have been banned for life.

[fuzzychickens]

02:40 PM on 04/27/2010

Preaching is asking people to listen to you and shut their minds off while accepting everything you say.

If Jesus was real, I doubt he ever preached - I think he tried to help people find the truth themselves.

"Prove all things, hold fast to all which is good" - I think he may have said things more along those lines.

That is not preaching.

[Uproar]

05:21 PM on 04/28/2010

You THINK he may have said things more along those lines? Nice, so now you're defending the guy based on nothing but pure guesses since you were not there. And yes, what he was doing IS preaching. Any talk about god, and trying to tell people your god is great, loudly enough so that others cannot escape hearing you, is preaching. That boat ride is like 30 minutes long. No one should be subject to any kind of loud talk, no matter what the subject, if they do not want to. Everyone's right to a calm ride home is being disturbed.

[Copitlism]

01:11 PM on 04/27/2010

"After the preacher was taken to a "secure location," he allegedly bit the officer's forearm, bruising it."

Probably in the throes of demonic possession.

"Seeking to ban him from preaching on the boats could constitute a violation of his First Amendment rights"

Shouldn’t this be covered by hate speech laws?

[Peter Danbridge]

11:11 AM on 04/27/2010

My grandmother used to do this in Times Square overnight, back when Times Square wasn't a theme park, when it was far more sketchy and dangerous.

I didn't approve of her harassment either, which is indeed what it was.