Chapter 51
Plea Bargain
Agent Sanders didn’t have much difficulty convincing the U.S. Attorney handling Reverend Little’s case that she should offer a plea deal. Her case was very thin particularly when the confidential informants were ordered to cease cooperation in the prosecution. The deal was simple. Reverend Little would plead guilty to criminal fraud in staging fake miracles at the Bat Mountain site, but would be given probation. The murder investigations would be reopened and the cases left unsolved. Unofficially, his probation would be the obligation to keep people away from the Bat Mountain Uplift. They could look at it from a distance, but they had to stay clear. Little didn’t have a problem with this and he immediately called a news conference to announce the plea deal.
“Ladies and gentlemen, with great humility I am pleased to announce that I have reached an agreement with the United States Attorney to resolve the cases pending against me. I have agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud on the condition that I serve no jail time. I am a sinner. I know that and I should have been more patient and let God work his miracles without my help. I am ashamed of what I did and beg your forgiveness.
“But just because I have failed God once doesn’t mean I will do it again. I know the Living Desert Cathedral is the work of God and I will not abandon Him just because I am a weak sinner. God’s work must continue, so the National Park Service has agreed that the Church of the Living Desert may have a permanent site at Bat Mountain to watch over the Living Desert Cathedral. We will be responsible for tourism around the site but we have agreed that no one can ever be allowed again to walk on its hallowed ground, to touch or climb its walls. God has made it clear that such is forbidden. Although, the FBI is continuing their investigations into the murders of Colonel Martin, Randy Perkins, Deputy Hanson and his wife, it is my belief that God struck those individuals down for interfering with the construction of His temple.
“I have always said this and firmly believe it, but now I have further evidence that it is true. As you all now know, God started a new cathedral at Independence and when it was discovered many flocked to it, touched it seeking healing, and climbed its walls. Many tried to break parts of it off as souvenirs and others climbed to the top not to praise God, but for their own self-gratification. But, as you know, God brought down his wraith on these sinners who dared defile this sanctuary and I have three witnesses to His wraith here to speak to you today. The first is Scott Chambers. Scott. . . ”
A young man approached the microphones tentatively. “Yes. Thank you, Reverend.”
“Tell us what happened at the Independence Cathedral just a few days ago.”
“Ah. Well. We heard on the news that a new cathedral had been spotted by a pilot near Independence. So, some friends and I immediately went to check it out. When we got there it was so magnificent we wanted to see it up close. We were warned to stay back but we’d been drinking and didn’t give the warning much heed. I thought it would be cool to tell my friends I’d climbed to the top of God’s cathedral so I began climbing. When I got to the top and was screaming down to my friends I felt something pulling on my leg. When I looked down I saw several strands, like roots of trees, wrapping themselves around my feet and ankles. When I tried to break free I couldn’t move, so I screamed as many others were doing once they realized the cathedral had them within its grasp.”
“So, you are sure it was the cathedral that had you bound and not something else?”
“No. I know now it was God punishing me.”
“So, how did you get loose?” Reverend Little asked.
“After a minute the strands of rock began to squeeze my ankle. It squeezed so hard I began to bleed. Then it suddenly stopped, the strand retracted and I rushed down to the ground as fast as I could.”
“Why do think your leg was spared?” Little asked.
“I don’t know. Perhaps because for the first time I realized I had been selfish and thoughtless. Perhaps God was just warning me.”
“That could well be it. So, there you have it. A live witness to God’s power and punishment for defying His will.”
Two other witnesses testified similarly and when the news conference was over the press had many questions but Reverend Little declined any further comment at that time. He said he was anxious to get home after being away for so long, but in reality he wanted to get out of there before the U.S. Attorney changed her mind.