Five hours of preaching leads to arrest

What began as an attempt to convert nonbelievers ended in a ride to the Youngstown State University police station for evangelist Keith Darrell.

On Friday, YSU police officers apprehended Darrell after two calls to the station from students drew them to the middle of campus.

Darrell was standing between Moser and Cushwa halls and preaching his adaptation of Christianity when officers approached him from behind, grabbed him by the belt loop and pulled him aside.

"YSU's finest arrived at 3:15," Darrell said.

Darrell was charged with disorderly conduct and appeared in court for his arraignment on Monday.

Witnesses said Darrell was startled and felt the situation could have been handled differently.

"They came at such a bad angle," said junior Eric Jones. "[The police officer] didn't announce himself at all."

Limited to comment pending investigation, Sgt. Dennis Godoy of the YSU Police said Darrell refused to present identification to arresting officer Dominic Fabrizio.

Story continued below

"When you don't cooperate with police, then there's a problem," Godoy said.

As of 3 p.m. on Monday, the police report was still unavailable.

Darrell said he felt that his First Amendment rights, particularly freedom of speech, were violated.

"It seems absurd you have to go through proper authorities to exercise free speech," Darrell said.

Darrell, a self-described "chronic traveler," said he was from Whitefield Fellowship, an organization inspired by 18th century evangelist James Whitefield.

Formerly, Darrell worked in finance in New York.

"I felt like I was wasting my life," he said.

Darrell then began traveling the country, witnessing to college students.

"I seek to be intellectually confrontational, not behaviorally," Darrell said.

Story continued below

Despite his mantra, Darrell caused a stir at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in November, when his message agitated a large group of students.

Again, Darrell ruffled a few feathers, but the incident at YSU was the first time he ended up in handcuffs.

Bystanders said Darrell had been on campus since 10 a.m. on Friday and drew a crowd of up to 50 people.

He began his lecture by talking about his sinful past, how Christianity brings coherence to all things and the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.

"All of us deserve death for our sins. Jesus took his life, and we should do the same," Darrell said on Friday. "There are many martyrs in the world, but Christ rose on the third day."

As the day progressed, his message began to change.

Story continued below

Eyewitnesses said Darrell sermonized on how homosexuals are narcissistic, comparing their lifestyles to bestiality and pedophilia; the generally poor standard of living of the college demographic; and "some pretty unpleasant things about women," said YSU graduate student Sarah Lowry.

"If you all live like garbage, you'll go in a trash heap," Darrell said on Friday.

"There are lots of reasons to be upset," Lowry said. "It was definitely not appropriate."

Many were opposed to Darrell's message. However, some supported him.

Story continued below

"I think he's speaking the truth. I agree with what he's saying, and I give him a thumbs up for doing it," said senior Jesse Kurz. "It takes a lot of guts."

"He's telling the truth. Not everybody knows everything about God," said Heather Livesay.

Some were more critical of his approach, rather than the content.

"It doesn't seem like he's talking about what he's gotten out of it. It's just what he disagrees with. He's just ranting," said junior John Vadala.

Darrell's pre-trial is scheduled for Oct. 31.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Heather Livesay is the wife of Jambar reporter Dustin Livesay.

Additional reporting by Marissa McIntyre and Chelsea Telega.