Cult's foul sex acts in church
2005-06-11 10:28
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.
Devil worshipping
About the same time, the church's pastor, 45-year-old Louis Lamonica, apparently confessed.
Lamonica was arrested, followed by eight others authorities described as central members of the ring. Even the tipster from Ohio, Nicole Bernard, was arrested on rape charges along with her ex-husband.
Edwards said the group apparently had an effective formula for escaping detection: the use of a church, a close-knit relationship between the members and victims unlikely to report abuse to authorities.
Lamonica's attorney, Michael Thiel had said previously that the charges had been sensationalised and would not hold up in court.
Edwards stopped short of saying the cult consisted of devil-worshippers but said some of the defendants told investigators that "devil worship was the reason for their participation." Edwards added that defendants and witnesses also gave statements saying a dog was sexually abused and at least two cats were sacrificed.
Authorities seized two dozen computers, which the FBI is checking.
After Bernard was arrested, police in Ohio said they searched a storage unit and found mattresses, videos and nine garbage bags full of costumes.
Lamonica and his wife, Robbin, also face allegations of having sex with children in their home.
Glynn Fendlason, who served as pastor of the church in earlier years, said "We all knew something wasn't right," Fendlason said. "Not something like this, though."
One of those taken into custody was Christopher Labat, a deputy who is now jailed on aggravated rape and malfeasance charges.
Bruce Dapprich described the arrested ex-deputy as a "real Christian," Dapprich said. "He never cursed. When we went out to eat, he'd bow his head and say his prayers."
- AP