Walker County Campsite Raid Brings Arrests, Evictions
A religious group and its leader, who claims to be Jesus, say they were caught off guard by the actions of the Sheriff and DHS
Law enforcement served a search warrant Tuesday, Dec. 30 at a remote campsite in the Empire community off York Mountain and Blackberry Ridge Roads in Walker County, arresting members of a small religious group and prompting sharp reactions from its followers.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said deputies executed the warrant with help from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after a months-long investigation. A handgun and illegal narcotics were recovered, and several adults were taken into custody.
“We have arrested some of the individuals connected to this campsite,” Smith said in a social media video. “We have released the others; they are getting their belongings and they are leaving the property.”
The group, known as More than the Prophet Ministries, had been living at the site about five months, according to its leader, Lando—whom followers call “Reverend Lamp.” Members had arrived from locations including California, New York, Florida and Georgia.
“They believe Lando is an incarnation of Jesus Christ,” WBRC was told, and he described himself as “the only begotten son of the living God.”
Lando said three people were arrested after refusing to provide their names. He also told reporters the handgun belonged to someone no longer at the site and that the drugs found were marijuana.
Notably, Lando himself—aka (allegedly) Jesus—was not arrested in the raid.
Members of the group said deputies handcuffed them and made them lie face-down on the road as the warrant was executed. It was unclear what role Homeland Security played or what triggered the investigation.
Lando said the group had been living on property they believed was owned by a supporter from Arkansas. He said rent was paid monthly and that in November the owner told them to vacate. Some members had already left, and those remaining were packing to depart by year’s end.
“Look, we’re already [cleaning the campsite] … We would be gone,” Lando said, adding he felt law enforcement’s approach was heavy-handed. “If you would have just woke me up, and said, ‘Hey man, y’all are supposed to be gone,’ ‘Yeah, we’re leaving today!’”
Requests for further comment from the Walker County and Blount County Sheriff’s Offices had not been returned at press time.
