Jurors Convict Evangelist on 10 Sex Counts

(AP)  Tony Alamo, a one-time street preacher who became an outfitter of the stars and fought the federal government over claims he underpaid followers for church work, was convicted Friday of taking five girls across state lines for sex.

The jury of nine men and three women found Alamo guilty of taking girls as young as 9 across state lines for sex, in violation of a nearly century-old federal law. Alamo was accused in a 10-count indictment that said the abuse started in 1994. Sentencing will be in six to eight weeks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[demongirl60]

BTW, CASTRATE the sick F*** and send him to prison for the rest of his pathetic life.....

[demongirl60]

I think grantmacdonald said it ALL!!!! Three cheers for you!

[Dadgumgerman]

Hey, Arkansas is a United States state, not like California, which is a sorry state.

[proudmilvet]

"I Drink Too Much. I Gave My Doctor A Urine Specimen & It Had Two Olives In It"... Rodney Dangerfield

[proudmilvet]

Thalia, You Mean About Dgunner? Sounds More Like Something Out Of A Cheech & Chong Movie!

[proudmilvet]

Sorry Thalia, I was off the PC for A little While. Had A Phone Call. Hey, You ROCK Pretty Good Yourself! ROCK ON!!

[proudmilvet]

W T F ??

[Dgunner]

<My eyesight is fading fast pardon the spelling and typos.

[Dgunner]

This amn cult compiund bordered some of land in arkansas theay i had leased . The lessoee called and complained the cultisr t were tresspasing and stealing the blck berries and wild pears and plums . After getting by his armed thugs to see him . I told if any of his peopel came up missing at head count be sure to check my bear traps or the hospital or morgue . This is the final and onlyn visit you will get from me.I never had a problem after that visit.Shortly after that the fbi raided his compiund and aressted him.He was charged with child abuse and and the court took evrtything he owned and his so called minstry to satisfy the court judgement for the 12 year old boy he beat with a lrge wooden paddle. After that the local communities turned thier back on him and his people. Several local undercover private investigators made thier way into the cult only to be shunned after rufusing to eat the apple sauce on every third day . The apple sauce was spiked with salt peter.Soon after they were banished from the compund . when the local press took up the story it was denioed by all the cultists.Then the IRS got them and his businesses this time and he was forced to prison and his ministry moved.

[proudmilvet]

Beer is proof that God Loves us & wants us to be happy... Benjamin Franklin