A Florida pastor, known for providing marriage guidance, has been arrested on charges stemming from allegations of bigamy. Leslie Williams, aged 62, was taken into custody on April 22 in Sumter County, Florida, during a routine operation in a retirement community known as The Villages. His arrest follows an outstanding warrant issued from Rockdale County, Georgia, where he is accused of marrying another woman while still legally married to his first wife.
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Williams is currently being detained without bond. This is due to his classification as an out-of-state fugitive, as indicated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that evidence from Florida marriage records verified Williams was still married when he entered into another marriage, leading to the issuance of the warrant for his arrest.
Under Georgia law, bigamy is considered a serious crime, punishable by a prison sentence ranging from one to ten years. The allegations against Williams have raised eyebrows, especially in light of his role as a pastor and author of a book offering marriage advice.
On his Facebook profile, Williams promotes himself as the head of LW Ministries and a board-certified Christian counsellor. His 2017 publication, titled “Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has Never Been Deeper,” purports to counsel men on how to express love towards their wives effectively. The book addresses issues that often arise in marriages and aims to preserve the sanctity of the marital bond.
Williams’ guidance encourages men to commit fully to their partners, urging them to comprehend the profound implications of genuine devotion. However, these assertions take on a startling light considering the current legal predicament he faces.
Interestingly, Williams appears to have hinted at his complex marital status on social media. In December 2025, he revealed a post that seemingly celebrated a new marriage to a woman named Cindi. The post attracted congratulatory comments, including one that expressed surprise at his announcement, suggesting that people believed he was still married to someone else. A subsequent post featured a photo of a woman, accompanied by a message thanking followers for their supportive comments about his wife.
Despite these indications, Williams’ current relationship status is listed as “single” on his Facebook profile, leading to further speculation regarding his marital history and current situation.
The developments around Williams have generated significant media attention, with particular interest in how his criminal charges align with his professed mission to promote strong marriages. Attempts have been made to gather more information from both the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, but details remain scarce.
As the case unfolds, it will be critical to observe how the legal ramifications of the bigamy charge play out and what this means for Williams’ role in the religious and social community he has cultivated. Given the gravity of the accusation and his status as a public figure in the realm of marriage counselling, the outcome could have wider implications beyond his personal life.
The community will be watching closely as further updates are anticipated, shedding light on both Williams’ legal battle and the potential impact on his ministry and the trust placed in him by those seeking marital guidance.