The Chronicle March 23, 1983 Juan Mattatall, a defector from the Northeast Kingdom Community Church of Island Pond [now known as “Twelve Tribes] who is trying to get his own three year old daughter back from Europe in the custody of cult leader Eugene Spriggs, has reportedly helped bring another defector’s child home from Spain….
Source: Facnet archives via Xenu directory 7 March 1983 A judge has ordered that a woman involved in a bitter custody battle be allowed to have her children visit — as long as she does not use any instruments “such as rods or other weapons” to discipline them. District Court Judge Frank Mahady also gave…
Source: Factnet archives via Xenu directory 6 January 1983 Prompted by a controversial religious sect in Island Pond, a statewide group has been formed to provide support and assistance to people trying to flee cults that use alleged mind control techniques on their members. Spokesman Alan Bouffard of Winooski said this week the organization -…
The Hartford Courant December 19, 1982 William Cockerham Island Pond, Vt – When they first came to this decaying railroad village near the Canadian border five years ago, the 1,000 or so local folk referred to them as “the Christians.” No one really knew much about them, or even cared. They appeared friendly enough, kept…
Source:Factnet archives via xenu directory 29 November 1982 MARK STARR with MARSHA ZABARSKY in Island Pond Folks in the tiny Vermont village of Island Pond (population: 1,542), nestled in rugged mountains near the Canadian border, like to say they live in “God’s country.” But lately residents have begun to fear that some of their neighbors…
Newsweek November 29, 1982 Mark Starr Folks in the tiny village of Island Pond (population 1,542), nestled in rugged mountains near the Canadian border, like to say they live in “God’s country.” But lately residents have begun to fear that some of their neighbors may be confusing God with Elbert Eugene Spriggs. A Chattanooga carnival…
Source:Factnet archives via Xenu directory 10 November 1982 A Newport father Wednesday was awarded temporary custody of his five children by a judge who heard ex-members of their mother’s church group testify that tots as young as 3 in their religious community were whipped until blood dripped down their legs. Superior Court Judge Ernest Gibson…
Source:Factnet archives, via Xenu directory 10 november 1982 Juan Mattatall won temporary custody of his five children Wednesday from a judge who heard testimony that children in the religious community to which the youngsters’ mother belongs were whipped. Superior Court Judge Ernest Gibson III said testimony from former members of Northeast Kingdom Community Church about…
Chattanooga Times Randy Arnold 1980 Saying he was a “concerned grandfather who truly loves and wants his granddaughter back,” Joe Heflin has accused members of the Vine Christian Community Church of taking his 4 year old granddaughter and keeping her from him and the child’s mother. In an interview with the Times Tuesday, Heflin and…
Chattanooga Times Randy Arnold 1980 Four men, including the head of the Vine Christian Community Church, were ordered held under $5,000 bond each at the City Jail as state witnesses Monday, and a man charged with assaulting them was freed on his own recognizance. Joseph William Heflin, 55, of 1903 Bennett Ave. was charged with…