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Religious Group Leader Claims Police Harassment During Raid
3 Jan
Summary
- Authorities arrested members of a religious group living at an Alabama campsite.
- The group's leader, who claims to be an incarnation of Jesus, alleges police mistreatment.
- Law enforcement recovered a handgun and illegal narcotics from the property.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a rural Alabama campsite occupied for months by a religious group, leading to several arrests. The group, known as 'More Than the Prophet Ministries,' reportedly considers its leader, Lando, an incarnation of Jesus Christ. Officials recovered a handgun and illegal narcotics during the operation on Tuesday, December 30.
Lando claimed he had rented the property for about a year, offering refuge to individuals seeking to overcome drug and alcohol use. He stated that the property owner had asked the group to leave in November, and they were in the process of departing when law enforcement arrived. Lando asserted that rent had been paid for December, and the remaining members were packing to leave.
The Walker County Sheriff's Office reported that several members were arrested, with illegal narcotics and a handgun found. Lando contested these claims, stating only marijuana was recovered and the handgun was legally registered. He accused authorities of excessive force, including snatching one member's hair and forcing individuals face down on the road, though some members were released and allowed to gather their belongings.
