Sex Church Leaders Allege Harassment
The self-professed leaders of a church that includes sex acts in its rituals asked Thursday for a federal court order prohibiting Los Angeles police and prosecutors from “harassing” the church and said they will appeal their recent conviction on prostitution charges.
The request for a court order follows the filing of a lawsuit Wednesday against the Los Angeles Police Department and the city attorney’s office claiming that Will and Mary Ellen Tracy of Canyon Country were persecuted by police and prosecutors because they practice an unorthodox religion.
Will Tracy, 51, and his wife, 46, are scheduled to be sentenced next Friday after their conviction by a Municipal Court jury of operating a house of prostitution in West Los Angeles.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court Wednesday, charges that authorities sought to deny the Tracys their freedom of religion and expression. Will Tracy on Thursday filed a request for the court order to bar the Police Department and city attorney from conducting surveillance on the church or making public statements about the religion.
U.S. District Judge William M. Byrne is scheduled to hear the request Monday.
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