Evangelist Tony Alamo faces a 10-count indictment on sex charges, but there’s one label that won’t be leveled on him: polygamist.
A federal judge ruled Monday (July 13) that the term “polygamy” cannot be used during the minister’s trial. Prosecutors had hoped to cite Alamo’s views on polygamy as biblical, in part to explain allegations that he took underage girls as wives.
In other language barriers, Alamo’s ministry cannot be called a “cult” or his property a “compound.”
Charges for Alamo, nee Bernie Hoffman, stem from his alleged transporting of underage girls across state lines for sex.
Among other pursuits, the 74 year-old once sold designer denim to a host of celebrities as part of his Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, based in Arkansas.