A Florida pastor who authored a book about strengthening marriages is now facing criminal charges after authorities say he was married to more than one woman at the same time.
Leslie Williams, 62, was taken into custody Wednesday near his home in The Villages, a large retirement community often associated with an active social scene. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and local reports, deputies arrested him on an outstanding warrant tied to bigamy allegations.
The warrant was issued earlier this month in Georgia, where law enforcement officials are seeking his return to face the charges. Williams is currently being held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center as he awaits extradition.
Details surrounding his prior marriage remain unclear. However, in December, Williams publicly shared news of a wedding to a woman named Cindi on social media, drawing congratulatory messages—some of which questioned whether he had already been married. In follow-up posts, he spoke highly of his new wife, describing her as “saved, beautiful and talented,” and credited her for making him feel like a changed man.
The situation has drawn particular attention because Williams previously wrote a book focused on marital devotion. Published in 2017, “Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has Never Been Deeper” encourages men to build strong, lasting relationships rooted in biblical principles and to address common issues that can damage a marriage.
Williams leads his own ministry based in The Villages, where he promotes religious teachings and services centered on spiritual preparation. He has described himself as a teacher and defender of Christian faith, offering guidance he says is relevant to modern believers.
Authorities in Georgia have not yet released additional details about the case or the timeline for his extradition.