Gifford assistant pastor Lorenzo Jefferson charged with domestic battery, charges later dropped

UPDATE: Charges have been dropped against Jefferson

EARLIER STORY:

SEBASTIAN, Fla. — An assistant pastor of a Gifford church is charged with domestic battery after his wife accused him of shoving her, according to a Sebastian Police Department arrest report.

Police Nov. 27 charged St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church assistant pastor Lorenzo Jefferson, 48, with misdemeanor battery domestic violence.

According to the arrest report, Jefferson's wife said he came to her home at 9:30 p.m. to discuss a text message and during the talks he accused her of having an affair.

The wife told police that she attempted to return inside the home and Jefferson tried to stop her by putting his hand around her throat and shoving her against the stucco. The wife said Jefferson was not trying to choke her, just keep her from going inside the home. The wife told police she used her open hand to shove Jefferson in the face.

Police noted the wife had scratches on her back and slight redness on the right side of her neck.

When police questioned Jefferson in his home in the 100 block of Cardinal Drive in Sebastian, he denied touching or pushing his wife.

Jefferson on Monday was released from the Indian River County Jail on $500 bail. Jefferson could not be reach for comment. Officials at St. Peter's could not be reached for comment about Jefferson's status with the church.