Evangelist Convicted on 10 Sex Abuse Counts
Cited: Associated Press
The one-time street preacher of what the federal government over claims he underpaid followers for church work and was the outfitter of the stars, Tony Alamo, was convicted of taking five girls across state lines for the purpose of having sex. Alamo transported girls as young as age 9, in violation of a nearly century-old federal law and was found guilty by a jury of nine men and three women. The 10-count indictment said that the abuse started in 1994.
Women ranging from age 17 to 33 told jurors that Alamo “married” them in private ceremonies while they were minors, sometimes giving them wedding rings. Each detailed trips beyond Arkansas’ borders for Alamo’s sexual gratification. Alamo, 74, never testified. His lawyers told him he should not directly challenge their testimony and they argued to jurors that the girls traveled for legitimate church business.
The evangelist could spend the rest of his life in prison, since each count is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be held in six to eight weeks. State and federal agents raided Alamo’s compound last Sept. 20 after repeated reports of abuse.
Defense lawyers said the government targeted Alamo because it doesn’t like his apocalyptic brand of Christianity. Alamo has blamed the Vatican for his legal troubles, which include a four-year prison term for tax evasion in the 1990s.
With little physical evidence, prosecutors relied on the women’s stories to paint an emotional portrait of a charismatic religious leader who controlled every aspect of his subjects’ lives. No one obtained food, clothing or transportation without him knowing about it.
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At times, men were ordered away from the compound and their wives kept as another Alamo bride. Minor offenses from either gender drew beatings or starvation fasts.
In the end, prosecutors convinced jurors in Arkansas’ conservative Christian climate that Alamo’s ministry offered him the opportunity to prey on the young girls of loyal followers who believed him to be a prophet who spoke directly to God. They described a ministry that ran on the fear of drawing the anger of “Papa Tony.”
Alamo remained defiant as jurors heard testimony for a week. He openly referred to the Branch Davidian raid at Waco, Texas, muttered expletives during others’ testimony and fell asleep at times – while alleged victims spoke from the witness stand and again as prosecutors urged his conviction.
The evangelist built a multi-state ministry on the backs of followers who worked in various businesses to support the church. In the 1980s, he designed and sold elaborately decorated denim jackets, hobnobbed with celebrities and owned a compound in western Arkansas that featured a heart-shaped swimming pool.
Federal agents seized a large portion of his assets in the 1990s to settle tax claims after courts declared his operations a business, not a church. Among items offered for auction were the plans for the studded jacket Michael Jackson wore on his “Bad” album.
Lowest ministry is considered a “cult” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. For violating the nearly century-old Mann act, prosecutors indicated that Alamo could face a total of 175 years in prison. The Mann act as a morality law once aimed at stopping women from being sold into prostitution. Each count that Alamo has been charged with also carries a possible fine of $250,000 each.
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My Take: As a woman, I think anybody who uses a child for sexual purposes should have their throats cut. I firmly believe that anybody who is found guilty of rape (any kind of rape) should get the death penalty. This man deserves to die more than any because he is supposed to be a religious leader. A person who is supposed to guide people through their faith not destroy it. He was supposed to be someone that they could trust. He probably used womens sexy Halloween costumes to make them feel grown up. How sick can a person be used Halloween costumes in that way, if he did.
I doubt that he used any tricks other than the fact that he “married” them. However, I think he should be searching for burial urn and not wondering which prison he will be in. I would even let him purchase a pet urn so his dog could go with him. I do not think he has the right to live. However, that is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
As long as he spends the rest of his life in jail without the possibility of parole I will live with it. I firmly believe that anybody who rapes or murders anybody should lose his or her own life. They have stolen one life so they should lose theirs.
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