2 teens who sued Alamo member awarded $3 million

By The Associated Press

TEXARKANA — A federal judge has awarded $3 million to two teenagers who sued a fugitive accused of being the disciplinarian for the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries.

U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes ruled Thursday in favor of Spencer Ondrisek and Seth Calcagna, who were both raised in the Tony Alamo Ministries. Barnes awarded $1.5 million to each teen — $500,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages in the case, which accused Kolbek of battery, false imprisonment, outrage and conspiracy.

Kolbek hasn’t been located since the suit was filed last year.

The teens have also sued Alamo, who has been convicted in a separate case for taking girls across state lines for sex. That civil suit is set for July 2010.

Barnes said Thursday that he doesn’t think “there’s enough money in this world that will wash away the emotional harm this has caused.”