Appeals court upholds ruling in Tony Alamo case
Jan 11, 2012, 10:56 PM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by members of evangelist Tony Alamo’s (uh-LAM-ohs) ministry, claiming an Arkansas agency infringed upon their religious rights in seizing children from their compound.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided Wednesday with a judge’s decision to dismiss the suit, which accuses the Arkansas Department of Human Services of harassing the church with a campaign that included removing 36 children from their parents.
DHS said the children were beaten and underage girls were allowed to marry.
Alamo is in prison after being convicted of taking underage girls across state lines for sex. His attorney John Wesley Hall says he may seek a rehearing on at least part of the case.
DHS said it’s pleased with the court’s decision.
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