Sex Church Leader Likens Self to Jesus

The leader of a church that uses sex as a ritual, accused of running a house of prostitution, likened himself in court Thursday to Jesus Christ and Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, who he said were persecuted because their beliefs contradicted established social practices.

Will Tracy of Canyon Country told a jury in Los Angeles Municipal Court that he is on trial because his church is considered bizarre by modern society. Jesus and Joseph Smith were “out of time and out of place,” he said, and “I’m out of time and out of place.”

Tracy, 51, is charged with one misdemeanor count of operating a house of ill fame in West Los Angeles. His wife, Mary Ellen Tracy, 46, faces one count of operating a house of ill fame and two misdemeanor counts of prostitution.

The Tracys say they have re-established an ancient Egyptian church in which men have sex with priestesses. Mary Ellen Tracy says she has had sex with more than 2,000 men as high priestess of the Church of the Most High Goddess.

Prosecutors say the church is a front for prostitution because the men are required to make donations.

Deputy City Atty. George Lomeli reminded jurors that a Los Angeles Police Department vice officer testified Monday that Mary Ellen Tracy had solicited $150 from the officer for sex.