A photo posted by KingdomKiD (@phillyjesus) on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:04pm PST

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The "Philly Jesus," a Philadelphia man famous for dressing in Christ garb, was arrested for allegedly soliciting tips while ice skating, police said.

Michael Grant, 28, was ice skating Friday in his full Jesus getup at Love Park and he was arrested when police accused him of asking for tips in exchange for posing for pictures, the performer said.


Grant was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.

A photo posted by KingdomKiD (@phillyjesus) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:54pm PST

Grant tweeted a few hours after the arrest he told people who asked for pictures that he doesn't charge for posing, but "tips are welcome."

The performer was released Friday evening and said he plans to fight the charges in court.

"He's a very decent young man who is simply exercising his First Amendment right of speech," Grant's attorney, Charles Gibbs told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Grant said he created the Philly Jesus character after his religious beliefs helped him overcome substance abuse issues. He has past arrests for charges including simple assault, drug possession and theft.