A 62-year-old Florida pastor who authored a book promoting deep biblical love for one wife now faces bigamy charges after authorities say he entered a new marriage while still legally wed to another woman. Leslie Williams was arrested April 22, 2026, by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office near his home in The Villages retirement community on an outstanding warrant from Rockdale County, Georgia. He remains held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center in Bushnell as he awaits extradition.
Williams runs Leslie Williams Ministries from The Villages, offering biblical counseling and messages described as preparing people for the end of time. He published the 2017 book Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has Never Been Deeper, which addresses common marital challenges and urges men to pursue a committed, Ephesians 5 style of love that strengthens the sacred bond between husband and wife. In December 2025 he updated his Facebook status to married and posted affectionately about his union with a woman named Cindi, drawing public comments that questioned his prior marital situation, reflecting the complexities of modern high-profile relationships and spiritual commitments.
Florida marriage records reviewed by Georgia authorities reportedly confirmed that Williams remained legally married to a previous wife at the time of the subsequent union or announcement. Rockdale County issued the bigamy warrant on April 3, 2026. A Sumter County deputy responded to Williams’ Lady Lake area residence around 3:40 p.m. on April 22. After he was located nearby driving a blue Ford pickup truck, deputies took him into custody. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-6-20, bigamy is a felony in Georgia punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The contrast between Williams’ public teachings and the allegations has drawn widespread attention. His book, still listed on major retailers, speaks directly to men about fostering never-failing love while tackling issues that could harm a marriage. Williams has positioned himself as a board-certified Christian counselor and apologist focused on timely scriptural messages. The Villages, a large 55-plus community, carries its own reputation for complex social dynamics, which adds a unique layer to this Florida crime story, though it has no direct bearing on the legal case itself.
The case also highlights ongoing questions surrounding oversight and accountability in small, independent ministries that operate without the institutional structures common in larger congregations. Williams conducts his work through Leslie Williams Ministries from a mailbox location in The Villages rather than a traditional church setting. Such arrangements allow flexibility for individual counselors and apologists but can present challenges in formal governance and transparency, a theme often explored in true crime investigations involving institutional trust.
Legal proceedings will continue in Georgia following his extradition from Florida. Williams has not issued any public statement regarding the charges, and representatives from his ministry have not commented as of the most recent records. Those seeking further details may review the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office jail roster or contact the Rockdale County Clerk of Court in Conyers, Georgia, for updates on the warrant and court filings. As seen in other high-profile court dismissals and legal battles, the burden of proof remains with the prosecution as the case moves forward.
The Amazon page for his 2017 book offers context on its original message, which encourages men to cultivate a committed, scripture-based love in marriage. As authorities process the extradition, additional information about the alleged marriages is expected to emerge through official Rockdale County court documents in the weeks ahead.
