Arkansas State Police Assist DHS in Removing More Children from Alamo Ministries Compound

In Western Arkansas and Northeast Texas, Tony Alamo is name known to the majority of citizens. What started out as public nuisance and citizen annoyance over the religious literature stealthily left on windshields across town eventually developed into federal and state felony charges, and the removal of a number of minors from what many locals refer to as "The Alamo Compound".

State Police today were ordered by Arkansas Circuit Courts to assist DHS in the removal of children from specific properties in Miller and Sebastian Counties. In a telephone interview with BIll Sadler, Public Information Officer for Arkansas State Police, "18 children were removed without incident per Court order from Miller County Arkansas and turned over to DHS. No children were removed from Sebastian County."

Sadler stated that other children may have been removed per DHS discretion, but he could not comment on those. Julie Munsell, media contact for Arkansas DHS was not immediately available for comment, but other reports indicate that a total of 21 children were taken, including the 18 taken by order of the Court.

These removals may have been prompted by testimony given during a hearing before Judge Jim Hudson after 6 girls were removed from his compound in September. Testimony began yesterday before Judge Hudson regarding the fate of two of the girls removed in that raid, and Judge Griffin will hear two more later in the week. There were a large number of witnesses present, and with video depositions offered as testimony, at least thirty witnesses are expected to present live or videotaped testimony behind closed doors. Should it be determined by the courts that it is unsafe for the children to return home, the issue of permanent custody will be heard next year.

Alamo's trial for those charges is pending. United States District Judge Harry F. Barnes moved the trial of Tony Alamo to February 2, after Alamo's counsel requested additional time to prepare for trial.