Defense attorneys for Mullet argued in earlier briefs there is no proof of such sexual conduct and that mentioning it at trial would be highly prejudicial.

The victims had left Mullet's Bergholz community and defied his rulings on religious issues, according to the government. They also urged relatives to do the same.

The defendants say their actions were a matter of church discipline. Mullet previously said he didn't order the hair-cutting but didn't stop his sons and others from carrying it out because he wanted to send a message to other Amish that they should be ashamed for the way they treated him and his community.

The defendants face trial Aug. 27 in Cleveland.

Cutting a man's beard or a woman's hair is considered highly offensive to the Amish, a deeply traditional religious group that avoids most modern conveniences.