Charges dropped in McDonald County cult case after witnesses refuse to cooperate

Sex charges against Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church pastor Raymond Lambert, his wife, Patty Lambert, and sister-in-law Laura Epling have been dropped by the McDonald County prosecuting attorney's office after witnesses refused to cooperate, according to Associated Press:

Defense lawyer Robert Evenson said charges were dropped because two women his clients were accused of abusing as girls had stopped cooperating with prosecutors. The two alleged victims twice failed to show up for depositions, he said.

The accusations leveled at the Lamberts and Mrs. Epling involved ritual sex with children, according to authorities.

More information on the case can be found in previous Turner Report posts.