PONCHATOULA (LA)
News 24
11/06/2005 10:28 - (SA)
Ponchatoula - A southern Louisiana town was stunned by a case none could have imagined: Nine people, including a pastor, his wife and a sheriff's deputy were accused of engaging in cult-like sexual activities with children and animals inside the hall of worship.
Eight now face child rape charges that could bring the death penalty.
Authorities said witnesses have described the use of robes, pentagrams on the church floor, sex with a dog and the sacrifice of cats. The alleged victims, suspected to number up to two dozen, include children ranging from infants to young teens - some of them the offspring of those accused.
"I've been a prosecutor in some rape cases and child molestation cases, but I've never had a group accused of doing anything like this," said Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, a former state prosecutor.
Investigators believe the abuse began in 1999 and continued until the church closed in 2003. But it was not until a woman called from Ohio in April, saying she had fled to protect her child, that police claim they had even an inkling of what was happening.
Posted by kshaw at June 11, 2005 07:35 AM