Texarkana - A federal jury has convicted evangelist Tony Alamo on charges he took underage girls across state lines for sex.

The jury issued its judgment Friday in federal court in Texarkana. The jury found the 74-year-old Alamo guilty of all counts he faced.

Alamo faced a 10-count indictment accusing him of taking girls as young as 9 across state lines as early as 1994.

“The United States Attorney’s Office appreciates the jury’s attention to the evidence presented in this case" said Acting United States Attorney Deborah Groom. "We also wish to commend and extend gratitude to the agents of the FBI (web) and the Arkansas State Police, who partnered in the investigation, for the dedication they exhibited throughout the investigation and prosecution. It is important that victims of child exploitation have the forum and opportunity to come forward, so that justice may be served.”

FBI agents and Arkansas State Police troopers raided Alamo's compound in southern Arkansas in September looking for child pornography. Agents arrested him five days later in Arizona.

Alamo had denied the charges, claiming they came from a Vatican-led conspiracy against his ministry. His apocalyptic tracts outline his hatred of the Vatican and his feared "one-world government." The Southern Poverty Law Center considers his ministry a "cult."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 Email To Friend