Armed with guns and a SWAT team, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department served custody papers to some people in a local Amish community, and they are outraged.

Sheriff Fred Abdalla said someone who is part of that community has threatened his life and he was not taking any chances. Today, members of the Amish community are taking the stand and a judge will determine if Abdalla had a right to come into their community armed to serve custody papers.

The Jefferson County justice center was filled with members of the Amish community, inside the courtroom and outside. Some members of the Amish community in Bergolz said he did have a right because they live in fear of the community’s Bishop Sam Mullet.

In court, the bishop was described as a leader who is powerful enough to excommunicate people, which is one of the strongest punishments in the Amish community.

While some of Mullet's relatives supported his decision making, his son took the stand and broke down in tears when he talked about the treatment he received living in the community.

Witnesses said Mullet intimidates them and has committed unthinkable acts.

"I had fear of Sam, the look on his face was not a nice friendly look and whenever we talked about something you had to stare in his eyes, that was the only way we could talk," said a community member.

One witness told the judge that he saw Mullet go to bed with his 17 year old daughter.

He said Mullet's sons held heir brother down on the ground from 9 at night until the next morning. The witness claimed they did this because he was the devil.

Abdalla told NEWS9 this hearing will prove that he was right in trying to protect his himself and his deputies when he served those custody papers.