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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Evangelical Leader 'Married' 8-Year-old Girl: Ex-Wife

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(Newser) – An emotional ex-wife of an Arkansas evangelical sect leader testified yesterday that he forced underage girls  to "marry" and have sex with him, reports the Telegraph. The woman, who said she herself was forced into her marriage at the age of 15, said she began having serious doubts about her situation when Tony Alamo, now 74, took as his latest "bride" an 8 year old, and boasted about fondling her as she held a stuffed animal.

The woman testifying, now 30, said Alamo warned her not to question what "the Lord told me to do." She said her parents and grandparents were also Alamo followers, and she feared her family would be shunned if she did not submit to becoming his bride. Another woman who "married" Alamo at 17 is expected to testify today. Alamo set up the multi-million-dollar Alamo Christian Foundation in 1969. He has already served four years for tax evasion. He's currently charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.

Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark. Alamo is charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark. Alamo is charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.   (AP Photo/Texarkana Gazette, Evan Lewis)
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark.
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark.   (AP Photo/Texarkana Gazette, Evan Lewis)
This undated photo made available by Tony Alamo Christian Ministries shows Tony Alamo and his late wife Susan during the early days of the Alamo Christian Foundation.
This undated photo made available by Tony Alamo Christian Ministries shows Tony Alamo and his late wife Susan during the early days of the Alamo Christian Foundation.   (AP Photo/Tony Alamo Christian Ministries)
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25 comments
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oldgoat
Jul 16, 09 4:56 AM CDT
Hope that he ends up being somebodies wife in prison. Hopefully one that likes rough sex. Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Jul 16, 09 5:06 AM CDT
Rough is the only kind there is in prison.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
Jul 16, 09 11:57 AM CDT
Hope is not necessary in this case. It will happen without a doubt. He'll be needing one of those donut cushions for awhile until he gets used to it.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jul 16, 09 10:56 PM CDT
Another fine Christian role model.
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+1
Reader64481089
Jul 16, 09 6:43 AM CDT
Here is the question of the century...."questions" about this animals crap have been around for years, what the hell took them so long putting his a$$ behind bars and how many children could they have helped if they had moved earlier. This "system" has fallen into the dump and needs to be scraped as far as protecting children. Reply
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+2

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