Bernie LaZar Hoffman, commonly known as Tony Alamo, will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant Friday for arraignment in Texarkana, Ark., said Bryant’s staff.

Alamo is accused of bringing minors across state lines for sex.

The controversial evangelist, who has denied any wrongdoing, will be asked to enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty to the charges.

Alamo is being represented by John Wesley Hall, Jr., of Little Rock. Hall’s partner, Patrick Benca, and Texarkana attorney Jeff Harrelson will assist with Alamo’s defense.

Alamo was arrested in Flagstaff, Ariz., less than a week after the FBI and Arkansas State Police searched the Tony Alamo Ministries compound in Fouke, Ark. Six girls ranging in age from 10 to 17 were removed from the compound and placed in state custody.

See Thursday's edition of the Texarkana Gazette, or, for our online subscribers, www.texarkanagazette.com, for more details.