Evangelist Tony Alamo
/ AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File
Friday, November 13, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
Read more: National, Crime, Religion, Evangelist Tony Alamo, Sex, Prison, Arkansas
TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — Evangelist Tony Alamo (uh-LAH'-moh) has been sentenced to 175 years in prison for taking underage girls across state lines for sex.
The 75-year-old Alamo was convicted in July on a 10-count federal indictment. Today's sentencing in Arkansas came at a hearing that included angry words from his victims.
One woman who says Alamo took her as a "bride" at 8-years-old says he preyed on innocent children. She said Alamo had torn her family apart. She described shaking uncontrollably when he first molested her.
Staring down Alamo, the woman challenged the evangelist to submit himself to God's judgment, saying: "You have the audacity to ask for mercy. What mercy did you show us?"
Two other child brides testified, and one said she hoped Alamo would spend the rest of his life in jail.
As for Alamo, he says he's glad he's who he is, and not one of the "deceived people in the world."
Alamo's lawyers say they'll appeal the judge's ruling.
