Tony Alamo denied bail
A federal magistrate called Tony Alamo a flight risk Wednesday as he ordered the evangelist held without bail until his trial on charges that he took a minor across state lines for sex.
The ruling came after Alamo's former followers testified at a hearing that they were often beaten at his instructions and one said Alamo practiced polygamy with several females, including a 9-year-old girl.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant noted that Alamo is charged with a violent crime and said he also considered that Alamo fled a California child-abuse charge in 1989 and was arrested two years later in Tampa, Fla., living under an assumed name. Alamo has access to various vehicles, he said.
Witnesses said Alamo controls businesses and ministry locations in several states. They said none of the properties are Alamo's name, which Bryant also considered as a point against letting Alamo free.
Alamo, 74, said nothing after the ruling. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 19.
He was arrested in Flagstaff, Ariz., five days after a Sept. 20 police raid on the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in the southwest Arkansas town of Fouke. Six girls were taken into state custody for their protection.
During Wednesday's hearing, Arkansas state troopers searched the compound anew, State Police spokesman Bill Sadler confirmed, without elaborating.
One witness called to the stand by prosecutors Wednesday, Jael Sprinkle, 32, testified that she was taken as Alamo's wife at age 17 and was considered his wife for two years. She said that Alamo had five other wives at the time and that she knew of him taking a 9-year-old girl as one.
Strangely, Alamo's life parallels that of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. As Alamo was one of Jack Chick's allies, it is not likely that Chick would do a Crusaders Comic detailing the activities of the Alamo Church! Haw haw haw!
Strangely, whenever its an alleged religious kook who the press covers, he always seems to live in a "compound." Alberto warned of "innocent" religious retreats depicted as cults in order to shut down "Bible believing Christians."
See "Double Cross"
The ruling came after Alamo's former followers testified at a hearing that they were often beaten at his instructions and one said Alamo practiced polygamy with several females, including a 9-year-old girl.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant noted that Alamo is charged with a violent crime and said he also considered that Alamo fled a California child-abuse charge in 1989 and was arrested two years later in Tampa, Fla., living under an assumed name. Alamo has access to various vehicles, he said.
Witnesses said Alamo controls businesses and ministry locations in several states. They said none of the properties are Alamo's name, which Bryant also considered as a point against letting Alamo free.
Alamo, 74, said nothing after the ruling. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 19.
He was arrested in Flagstaff, Ariz., five days after a Sept. 20 police raid on the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in the southwest Arkansas town of Fouke. Six girls were taken into state custody for their protection.
During Wednesday's hearing, Arkansas state troopers searched the compound anew, State Police spokesman Bill Sadler confirmed, without elaborating.
One witness called to the stand by prosecutors Wednesday, Jael Sprinkle, 32, testified that she was taken as Alamo's wife at age 17 and was considered his wife for two years. She said that Alamo had five other wives at the time and that she knew of him taking a 9-year-old girl as one.
Strangely, Alamo's life parallels that of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. As Alamo was one of Jack Chick's allies, it is not likely that Chick would do a Crusaders Comic detailing the activities of the Alamo Church! Haw haw haw!
Strangely, whenever its an alleged religious kook who the press covers, he always seems to live in a "compound." Alberto warned of "innocent" religious retreats depicted as cults in order to shut down "Bible believing Christians."
See "Double Cross"
posted by chickcomics | 12:23 AM
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