Agents seize Indiana church for back taxes

Reuters/February 13, 2001

Indianapolis -- Federal agents seized an Indianapolis church for millions of dollars in back taxes on Tuesday and carried out five members who refused to leave.

The Indianapolis Baptist Temple had been involved in a years-long dispute with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, refusing to withhold employee income, Social Security and other taxes, the government agency said. It claimed the church owed more than $6 million in back taxes and penalties.

The agency got a court order in 2000 allowing it to seize the property but members staged sit-ins and other protests. On Tuesday U.S. Marshals moved on the building, carrying out five church members who refused to budge.

A U.S. Marshal's Service spokesman said the operation took place without incident.