Attorney: New charges are similar to those Alamo already faces
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Jailed evangelist Tony Alamo faces eight new federal charges after his arrest for allegedly taking children across state lines for sex, his lawyer said Tuesday.
John Wesley Hall Jr. said the new charges are similar to those Alamo already faces — violations of the Mann Act, a federal law that bans carrying women or girls across state lines for “prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.” Hall said the sealed indictment includes the original two charges.
It’s “the same kind of stuff, just more of it,” Hall said.
Debbie Groom, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Arkansas, declined to specify the charges included in the new indictment. She said a federal judge would have to decide on whether to unseal the charges for public viewing.
The charges, filed Monday, come after Alamo testified in a closed court hearing that he “spiritually” married and divorced multiple women who continued to live with him, Hall said.
[…]In a court filing, Alamo pleaded not guilty to the new charges and waived an arraignment hearing.
[…]Alamo faces trial in February on the 10 federal charges. Hall said he may ask a judge for more time to prepare a defense because of the new charges.