Music Church Wins Warrant Ruling

The Church Of Universal Love And Music won a recent victory when a federal judge ruled Pennsylvania police did not have a proper warrant to arrest people at the church’s outdoor event in 2009.

The church, founded by William Pritts, has an outdoor stage on its property. Actually, it’s Pritts’ property – the church leader has been butting heads with Fayette County for nearly a decade because of his request to have a special exemption permit to host concerts on his property. And he has, sans permit, brought in acts from Victor Wooten to Sam Bush.

Still, Fayette County authorities used a search warrant to raid “Funk Fest,” resulting in 23 arrests and the seizure of marijuana, LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms. More than 1,000 marijuana pipes and bongs were reportedly seized.

The church sued the county and several law enforcement officers; district court senior judge Donetta Ambrose ruled Aug. 31 the warrant was unconstitutional because it wasn’t supported by probable cause.

Pritts said the bust was retaliation to a years-long federal case he had against Fayette County, resulting in a settlement in Pritts’ favor. He claimed the police used excessive force.

“I was afraid they were going to kill people,” Pritts told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the time. “It was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Pritts added that police pointed automatic weapons at children under the age of 12 and roughed up some attendees. District Attorney Nancy Vernon denied the allegations, telling the paper that the police only carried service weapons, not automatic rifles, and never pointed guns at children.

“It went off without any incident,” Vernon told the Post-Gazette. “No one was injured.”