The pastor of GraceLife Church in Parkland County, Alberta is behind bars after allegedly not complying with release conditions from an earlier arrest and after RCMP determined that his church was, again, not complying with a COVID-19 Public Health Order.

The matter began back on February 8th when James Coates was first charged with his church being over capacity and failing to adhere to physical distancing requirements. He is to attend court in March on that matter. Coates had been ticketed back in December on the same complaint.

Last Sunday, RCMP were at the church to ensure the rules were being followed. On Tuesday, RCMP say Coates turned himself in and he was arrested and charged again. He remains in custody after refusing to agree to conditions for his release. He is scheduled to appear in court on the most recent matters on February 24th.