10/30/08 – Judge sets new trial date for Tony Alamo to Feb 2, 2009
KTBS
October 30, 2008
From The Associated Press
Judge sets new trial date for evangelist Tony Alamo
A federal judge in Texarkana has moved jailed evangelist Tony Alamo’s trial to Feb. 2.
Alamo is accused of bringing children across state lines for sexual purposes and bringing them to a religious compound in Arkansas. He was arrested after authorities raided his religious compound in Fouke.
U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes said in his order moving the trial from Nov. 19 that “the ends of justice served by the granting of the continuance outweighs the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.”
In court papers filed Tuesday, attorneys for Alamo said they needed more time to prepare. Prosecutors did not object to the request.
A federal magistrate last week ordered Alamo held pending trial after a four-hour hearing in which witnesses described beatings overseen by Alamo and said he’d taken young girls as his wives.
Alamo, 74, is charged with violating the Mann Act and aiding and abetting a violation of the act. If convicted, Alamo could be sentenced to life in prison.