The Cult Leader Who Married Kids and Called Himself ‘God’

Tony and Susan Alamo capitalized on the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and 70s, attracting young people seeking 'something better' and a 'new world.' They used aggressive, threatening evangelism to indoctrinate 'dirty, stupid hippies' into their flock, isolating them from outside influences and convincing them to give their earnings to the church.

Susan Alamo said, 'Oh, no, Tony. That's our harvest.' They would witness to people on the street, saying 'repent or perish.' Most followers were former narcotic addicts and hippies seeking truth. They were immediately separated from friends and indoctrinated with threats of death for non-compliance.

The Alamo cult developed a significant business portfolio, including grocery stores, trucking, and a prominent clothing line, 'Tony Alamo Designs for the Stars.' These businesses were staffed by cult members who worked long hours (12-16 hour shifts) without breaks, believing they were doing 'the work of God,' and turning over their paychecks to Tony and Susan.

Tony Alamo had businesses including grocery stores, warehouses, trucking, antique stores, clothing stores, and properties. His 'Tony Alamo Designs for the Stars' produced rhinestone denim jackets selling for $2-3,000, made by 'tiny hands of children and adults' in sweatshop conditions.

Susan Alamo's death removed a 'check' on Tony's darker impulses. He then began teaching that polygamy was not condemned by the Bible and, as a 'prophet of God,' he had the right to take multiple wives, including girls under legal age, some as young as 12 or 13 if they had menstruated, and even 8 years old.

Once Susan died, 'we began to see a shift in his role and his messaging.' He taught 'there's nowhere in the Bible that condemns polygamy.' He reserved the right to have more than one wife 'solely to himself.' He believed girls should be married at 13, 14, 15, and 'in some cases if they menstruated already 12 years old.' Desiree was asked to marry him at eight.

Tony Alamo established a 'greenhouse' for severe physical beatings of children, often administered by other women in the cult with 2x4s, sometimes involving Tony himself punching and hitting. He also systematically groomed and sexually abused underage girls, framing these acts as 'marriages' and 'consummation' justified by God's word, even while in prison.

The 'greenhouse' was 'the house of scorn' where children were sent for 'beatings' with a 2x4. Desiree was punched in the back, stomach, and face. Tony 'began grooming some of the underage brides.' Followers brought girls to him in prison, forming a 'wall' to hide the abuse. Desiree testified he 'raped me' at age eight, and 'stretched me out' with his hands.

The escape and deposition of Desiree Colbec, one of Alamo's child brides, provided critical, current information to the FBI, leading to a raid on the compound and Alamo's eventual arrest. Her powerful testimony, along with other victims and cooperating mothers, was instrumental in securing his conviction for child sex trafficking.

Desiree escaped in November 2006, providing 'more recent and current information' to the FBI. She testified about sexual contact with Alamo at age eight. Her testimony was 'some of the most compelling' the prosecutor had ever heard. The jury found Tony Alamo guilty on 10 counts, leading to 'tears of joy' outside the courthouse.