May 22, 2005

Probe ongoing in alleged 'cult' sexual abuse

PONCHATOULA (LA)
The Advocate

From staff and news services

PONCHATOULA -- Authorities gathered new evidence from the home of a former pastor accused of leading a church group in "cultlike" rituals involving the sexual abuse of children and animals.

Tangipahoa Parish sheriff's spokeswoman Laura Covington said Saturday that authorities seized cars belonging to three of the eight arrested suspects in the case and also searched the home of former Hosanna Church pastor Louis Lamonica on Friday night.

"They took a few computers," Covington said.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said that a warrant was issued Saturday for the arrest of a woman believed to be linked to the group accused of sexually abusing children and animals.

Edwards would not release her name, but said the warrant said she faces prosecution in counts of aggravated rape and sexual battery.

Posted by kshaw at May 22, 2005 08:05 AM