Arrested Sunday, Charges Dismissed Monday
ANGIER – For the seventeenth time in 12 years, a Johnston County man has been arrested for trespassing at the same church. In the latest incident, Elton Eugene Bryant of Angier was arrested Sunday, October 22 for trespassing at the Piney Grove Chapel Baptist Church on Piney Grove Road, Angier, off NC Highway 210, in western Johnston County.
Sunday morning, a deputy sheriff working security at the rural church said Bryant arrived on foot and after entering the parking lot area reportedly told the officer he was there to get sin and the devil out of the church.
Bryant had been out of jail only 11 days before Sunday’s incident. He after being released from prison on October 11, 2023 for a felony stalking conviction, related to a prior offense at Piney Grove Chapel Church.
Bryant was arrested for the first time at Piney Grove Baptist Church in April 2012. He was charged with misdemeanor trespassing all 17 times. Three of those times felony stalking charges were added.
Following one conviction a judge ordered the 57 year-old man to undergo a mental health evaluation. The results of the evaluation are not public record.
No one knows why Bryant continues to return to the church, which is about 2.5 miles away from his home. Each time he walks to the church and is arrested.
Bryant was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $200 bond, Sunday morning. On Monday, during his first court appearance the misdemeanor charge was dismissed. It was the 7th time out of 17 offenses the trespassing charges were dropped.
Mr. Bryant was released from custody Monday afternoon.
There is only one reasoning to this situation, ether this man is evil and the church is good or this man is good and the church is evil? There is no splitting of hairs on this one!
The plot thickens…
Or maybe he has a mental disorder. Sad situation.
I agree.
Wonder if has a house to live in..Or is the jail his home and he is playing the system?? ( 3 meals, a bed and roof, medical, dental, eyes care all paid by the taxpayers)
This is a very sad situation, this man wants to go to church, but the scared , frighten Pastor has Mr. Bryant locked up. Yes, the devil in this church needs to be removed. The Southern Baptist churches in Johnston County have a problem with this, I can name other churches in the County who do the same thing. If a person shows up for church and they do not like the way he or she looks, or speaks different, or is quiet and nice, They tell them to leave or we will call law enforcement and have you arrested for Trespassing. Has Church attendance in this County come to this? I wonder if Jesus is allowed in their churches, for many of them already have Icabod over door( Holy Spirit is departed). If Revival ever comes to Johnston County, ALL CHURCHES, WILL HAVE TO ALLOW ALL TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN THAT HOUR.
I’m quite sure the pastor has tried to help this lunatic numerous times.
The Pastor of the Piney Grove Baptist as far as I know, has not tried to help him, but to discourage him from coming to (his) Church, when all churches belong to God.
As Far as I know this Pastor has not tried to help only discourage Mr. Bryant from coming, this story is much deeper than anyone knows.
Perhaps you should consider picking him up and take him to your church as a guest.
I would love too.
What the heck is wrong with the judge???? Put this idiot in prison and get him help while he is there, before this becomes a tragedy for innocent people !!! This is insane!
For all the ones that are talking bad about this man. SHAME ON YOU!!! “JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED!” “DO UNTO OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU” and then one of my personal favorites-“LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!” I’ve met and spoke with Mr Elton on a couple of different occasions. He is a pretty good guy. I dont see him being any kind of threat to himself, much less to anyone else.
He did not seem to be what everyone is saying to be “SICK,MENTALLY UNSTABLE, OR ILL!!!” It’s possible that the pastor feels inferior to this man do to his knowledge in theBible and the good Lord. STOP ARRESTING THIS MAN, ALLOW HIM IN CHURCH TO SHARE THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! God just may be waiting to turn the pastor away when his time comes. “Do unto others” But least he is going to church and making his efforts. But, NOBODY ON THIS PAGE KNOWS THE “TRUTH” OF WHATS REALLY GOING ON OTHER THAN ELTON, AND THE ONE WHOM IS CALLING THE LAW!!! LET ELTON BRYANT BE!!!!!!!!!
Good word, and I know the truth also. Mr Bryant should be allowed to worship in any church in this county or any county in the state. His rights to worship and assemble in church are protected. But due to the frighten Pastor of Piney Grove Baptist Church, time for him to ask forgiveness of his actions, There are those who see and understand what is going on and it should be fully exposed. Luke 12:2, 3; “For there is nothing covered. that shall not be revealed;neither hid, that shall not be known. verse 3, Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
Seriously, I wouldn’t recommend the name calling or negative judgement!!!! There is a purpose of this man going to the church that more than likely has nothing to do with him- God uses us to get a message through to others. Think about it! And most of God’s work may appear to be “crazy”, “mentally not right” and even “idiotic” but instead of bashing this individual, I suggest we be quick to pray and search our own selves!