Judge: Ark. agents did not violate Alamo followers’ religious rights by seizing children

Judge dismisses suit filed by Alamo followers

TEXARKANA, Ark. — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by members of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries that claimed an Arkansas state agency infringed upon their religious rights when it seized children from their compound.

U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes said in his ruling issued Tuesday that there was no evidence the Arkansas Department of Human Services acted in bad faith or denied ministry members their right to practice their religious beliefs when agents seized the children in September and November of 2008.

The plaintiffs accused the state agency of using the child-abuse investigation to disband the ministry.

Alamo was sentenced to 175 years in prison after he was convicted of taking young girls across state lines for sex.