Sex Church Leaders Seek Court Order : Couple Ask Judge to Stop Harassment by L.A. Agencies

The self-professed leaders of a church that includes sex acts in its rituals Thursday asked 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 is part of a civil suit against the Los Angeles Police Department and the city attorney’s office. The suit claims that Will and Mary Ellen Tracy of Canyon Country were persecuted by police and prosecutors because they practice an unorthodox religion.

“This is totally a First Amendment issue,� said Will Tracy, 51.

Tracy and his wife, Mary Ellen Tracy, 46, were convicted by a Los Angeles Municipal Court jury Sept. 8 of operating a house of ill fame in West Los Angeles. Mary Ellen Tracy was convicted of two prostitution charges.

Freedom of Religion

The lawsuit, filed in federal court Wednesday, charges that authorities sought to deny the Tracys their freedom of religion and expression. Will Tracy, acting as his own attorney, 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.

During the one-week trial on prostitution charges, Will Tracy likened himself to Jesus Christ and Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. He said they too were persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Tracy said he received a revelation from God five years ago to re-establish a religion, dating back to ancient Egypt, called the Church of the Most High Goddess. The Tracys say female priests absolve the sins of male followers through sexual rituals.

Front for Prostitution

Mary Ellen Tracy said that, as high priestess, she has had sex with thousands of men. Prosecutors said the church is a front for prostitution because the followers must make donations to the church.

U. S. District Judge William M. Byrne is scheduled to hear the couple’s request for a restraining order Monday.

The Tracys are scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 22. At that time, Will Tracy and his wife’s public defender, Maureen J. Tchakalian, will ask for a mistrial because a copy of the Hollywood Press, a sexually oriented newspaper that runs a column by Mary Ellen Tracy, was found in the jury room during deliberations.