More Members of Alleged Church Sex Cult Arrested

The child sex investigation of a small town church continues to grow.  From the pastor to the piano player, detectives have now arrested eight people. Charges range from sex with children to sex with animals.

Arrested late Thursday night was Robbin Lamonica, the pastor's wife, 21-year-old Paul Fontenot, and Lois Ann Mowbray.  Detectives say Mowbray was arrested for trying to cover up the abuse.

It's more than a spiritual shock for former members of Ponchatoula's Hosanna Church.  Former member Carolyn Krout described it as, "Pure amazement. These people were supposed to love God, and they did this to babies and animals."

Detectives say some of the sex abuse happened at the home of the pastor's wife, Robbin Lamonica, who was arrested on sex charges along with her husband, Louis Lamonica.  Church members called him "Brother Lou," and describe his wife as a kind but controlling woman.

Carolyn Krout says, looking back, she worries about her own young son, and a church that fell from grace.  "There was a whole congregation, and by the time I left, more than half the church had left.  They quit!"

Carolyn and her mother didn't only go to the church, they are related to one of the people arrested, Austin "Trey" Bernard.  Carolyn describes him as "always, laughing joking."  When asked if she thought the church changed him, she responded, "Yes, very much."  Trey's wife, Nicole Bernard, has also been implicated in this case.

An insider tells 9 News the list of victims from the Hosanna Church could grow to as many as forty before this is all over.