Tony Alamo News

9/16/09 – TG: Followers of convicted felon Alamo say DHS acted in bad faith ***COMMENTS***

Texarkana Gazette
September 16, 2009
By: Lynn LaRowe

Alamo loyalists: DHS acting in bad faith

Alamo loyalists: DHS acting in bad faith
By: Lynn LaRowe – Texarkana Gazette – Published: 09/16/2009
Tony Alamo Ministries filed a bevy of documents in federal court Tuesday hoping to prove the Arkansas Department of Human Services is acting in bad faith toward Alamo-following parents.

“Defendants used the dependency statute of the state of Arkansas in conjunction with and in aid of the criminal investigation, arrest, indictment, trial and conviction of Tony Alamo. The dependency actions were planned as part of the criminal investigation …,” according to a document filed by Florida attorney Phillip Kuhn on behalf of the church, Bert Krantz and Greg Seago.

“The systematic attack on the church was pre-planned and specifically designed to destroy what the authorities believe is a ‘cult,’” said the response to a motion filed by DHS asking U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes to dismiss the case.

DHS has argued that accepted legal doctrine prohibits federal court intervention in state court actions like custody cases except in certain circumstances.

Alamo Ministries asserts DHS and Arkansas Circuit Courts are treating the Alamo devotees contrary to constitutional law concerning religious freedom and wants Barnes to get involved.

“The facts … will show the parents are being found guilty of child abuse simply because of their religious association with a particular ministry,” Kuhn wrote.

Specifically at issue are orders from circuit judges requiring Alamo loyalists with kids in foster care to find employment and housing separate from the ministry. Members are provided housing, food and other essentials in exchange for labor that benefits the church.

Krantz and Seago claim they are in a spiritual dilemma because of the court’s directives.

“The plaintiffs believe Jesus has no part-time employees,” the document states.

“I am now put in a position of choosing between my loyalty to Christ or the return of my children, whom I love very much,” said Krantz’ affidavit. “I now must choose between God and man, between heaven and hell, between the demands of the Arkansas Department of Human Services and my church.”

Seago’s affidavit lamented the same.

“The state of Arkansas is attempting to transform me into a part-time Christian. And this road leads directly to hell,” Seago’s affidavit said. “I sincerely believe if I do not work for Christ on a full-time basis and if I have to leave the church, I will lose my salvation and my soul will be condemned to spend eternity outside the presence of God in a physical place of everlasting torment called ‘hell.’”

Since the September 2008 raid in Fouke, 36 children have been taken by the state. More than 90 others listed on removal orders are missing, presumably in hiding with their parents.

Officials have said concerns the children were at risk of physical and sexual abuse and educational and medical neglect prompted the mass removal.

Kuhn believes certain facts support his contention that the custody cases are simply a cover to disband the church and put Alamo behind bars.

“Defendants in this case clearly show the dependency actions were not instituted to protect children, but for the express purpose of harming the church,” Kuhn wrote.

He points to deposition testimony and e-mails from DHS administrators, case work managers and law enforcement.

“The defendants, DHS and the Arkansas State Police had knowledge of allegations of potential child abuse in the church beginning in 2005 and for a period of 45 months did absolutely nothing about it,” Kuhn said in the document.

“The state dependency actions were instituted to aid and assist the authorities in the criminal prosecution of Tony Alamo and not because a child was in danger or any parent was guilty of abuse or abandonment…”

DHS casework manager Aquonette White testified in a deposition that Arkansas law requires the agency act within 24 hours of a report of child abuse deemed priority one and within 72 hours of a report deemed less urgent.

Kuhn also pointed to a couple who gave birth to a child after their four other children, ages 7, 5, 3 and 18 months, had been placed in state care. The infant, born in June, is still with his parents in the home they occupy on ministry property in Fouke.

The baby’s father married at 19. His mother was 12 when she wed and is now 24.

An affidavit signed by the baby’s father, Carlos Parrish, refers to a promise he and his wife have made not to allow their own children to marry before state law allows as well as a vow not to allow others to discipline their kids.

But testimony in Alamo’s trial and interviews with former followers allege Alamo could and would break families apart at his whim. Beatings were ordered for children, fasting was forced upon them and girls became brides as children, witnesses testified.

When Alamo went to prison in 1994 for tax evasion, he continued to exert control over his flock and his ministry survived. Alamo, convicted in July of bringing young girls across state lines for sex, is set for sentencing Oct. 23 before the same judge Kuhn is pleading for relief from the state courts’ actions.

DHS’ lawyers have 10 days to respond per an earlier ruling from Barnes.