Church Sex Cult Group Indicted
Prosecutors used a poster on the wall to outline the connection between suspects in the alleged sex cult out of Ponchatoula. It must have worked. Friday, the grand jury investigating the case returned 26 aggravated rape indictments, but not against all accused in the case.
Most notably not indicted was Nicole Bernard. She's the 36-year-old woman who faces an aggravated rape charge after telling authorities she and other cult members molested a little girl since birth. However, prosecutors are not saying yet if she'll testify against the others.
Scott Perrilloux is the District Attorney prosecuting the case. He told 9 News, "No agreements have been made and I can't really say any more about it."
Two FBI agents and a local detective testified before the grand jury on Friday about the alleged molestation of children inside the Hosanna church. Based on their testimony, the grand jury indicted seven suspects, each on multiple counts of aggravated rape.
Pastor Louis Lamonica faces six counts. His wife, Robbin, faces two counts. Austin "Trey" Bernard, III, Paul Fontenot, Allen Pierson, and former Tangipahoa sheriff's deputy Christopher Labat each face four counts. Allen's wife, Patricia Pierson, faces two counts.
Sheriff Daniel Edwards has one feeling after hearing those indictments: "Disgust. Disgust because, you know, what's happened today was a grand jury has heard the evidence that's been gathered so far and they found the same thing that we found, basically."
D.A. Perrilloux says with so many defendants at once, the cases will not move quickly. "It's going to take awhile. This is just the beginning."
Sheriff Edwards says, "Certainly, the investigation is continuing. I don't want anyone to think the investigation's over. It is continuing."
Perrilloux says he could seek the death penalty in each of these cases, but he has not decided yet whether or not he'll do so. All of the suspects indict will appear in court next week.
As for the ninth suspect, Lois Mowbray, Perrilloux says since she's only charged with obstruction of justice, he doesn't need to bring her case before a grand jury. He can prosecute without an indictment.
Reporter: Avery Davidson