Tony Alamo Church Members Sue Each Other

76 year-old Tony Alamo, the Southern preacher accused of taking underage girls across state lines for sex, was convicted and sentenced to 175 years in prison last year. The latest drama to come from Tony Alamo concerns a string of lawsuits that pits former members of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries against each other.

According to Jack Times, six members of Alamo's church are suing each other over allegations that the other party knew or should have known about illegal sexual activity Alamo was engaging in, and did nothing to stop it. All the suits ask for at least $150,000 in damages stemming from the pain and suffering they have faced as a result of the very public trial.

Alamo was convicted of rape and sexual assault and plans on appealing his conviction in the upcoming months. The latest suits do not hinge on whether Alamo will successfully appeal his criminal conviction since the civil suits are an entirely separate inquiry. Local lawyer on the case David Carter comments on the latest litigation:

"We would all like to think that adults would never allow such sickening abuse to continue for so long. But it happened. By brining this action we hope to hold those who should have protected these girls and failed to do so accountable. We also hope to bring awareness to what can happen when people are no vigilant about protecting children from predators such as Alamo."

The latest complaints allege violations of federal human trafficking laws against high-ranking members of the church, church controlled businesses, and Alamo's wife. Five of the six complaints allege that Tony Alamo took the teenagers as his "wives" and had sex with them. In Alamo's trial, investigators alleged that the human trafficking had been occurring as far back as 1994, with girls as young as nine.

Related Resources:

• Members of Tony Alamo Church sue other members (E World Post)
• Cult Leader Tony Alamo Sentenced to 175 Years (FindLaw's Blotter)
• Human Trafficking and the Child Protection Compact Act of 2009 (FindLaw's Writ)