Former TV evangelist Tony Alamo has been sentenced to 175 years in prison for taking underage girls across US state lines for sex.
Alamo, original name Bernie Hoffman, was sentenced today in Texarkana, Arkansas.
US District Judge Harry Barnes listened to testimony from Alamo's victims before giving the 75-year-old the maximum time allowed by federal guidelines and effectively ordering that he spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The founder of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries took girls into his organisation as underage "brides".
Five women, aged between 17 and 33, testified in July that Alamo "married" them in private ceremonies while they were children.
One stated that he had wed girls as young as eight.
Alamo was sentenced for 10 separate counts and fined $US270,000.
Judge Barnes said the evangelist took advantage of his status as pastor and threatened the girls with "the loss of their salvation" if they did not cooperate.
He also told Alamo that he will one day face "a greater judge", and "may he have mercy on your soul."
Before the 175-year jail sentence was delivered, Alamo offered a brief statement to the court in which he praised God before adding: "I'm glad I'm me and not the deceived people in the world."
Alamo's lawyers indicated they will appeal the verdict, while a hearing is set for January 13 to determine whether the evangelist's victims will be paid restitution.
Alamo made millions through his ministry. He had a syndicated TV program during the 1970s in which he sung gospel songs in front of a large choir, while his wife Susan delivered the sermons.
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