The State - News from Nov. 4, 1987

Army officials say the Constitution protects a highly decorated lieutenant colonel with a top secret security clearance, who is also high priest of a dormant San Francisco-based satanic church. Army public affairs officer Greg Rixon in Washington said that Lt. Col. Michael A. Aquino, 41, a Vietnam veteran and the founder of the Temple of Set, can keep his security clearance, saying Aquino’s practices are protected by his constitutional freedom of religion. Saying it was “an absolute right,” Rixon told the San Francisco Chronicle that the practices are “not relevant” to his military service. Aquino came to public attention last week after published reports said police searched his Russian Hill home Aug. 14 following allegations from a child that she was molested in Aquino’s home. He has denied the allegations and no charges have been filed.