Minnesota Cult Leader, Victor Barnard, Sentenced In Sexual Assault Of Girls And Teens He Called His ‘Maidens’

Victor Barnard was sentenced to 30 years behind bars on Friday. Barnard, the ex-leader of a religious sect in Minnesota, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of two teenage girls who were members of his isolated following. Earlier this October, in Pine County, Minnesota, the 55-year-old leader of the River Road Fellowship agreed to the sentence of 30 years in prison.

ABC News says the sexual abuse was reported in 2012 by two women who reported that Barnard had sexually assaulted them at the ages of 12 and 13. The women described being a part of a group of approximately 10 teenage and younger girls who were selected to be part of what Barnard called the “Maidens Group.” The girls were isolated from their families and taken to a camp where they were kept secluded.

As part of the Maidens Group, the girls were subject to religious intimidation and coercion by Barnard. One victim was allegedly assured that she would retain her virginity after having sex with Barnard due to his status as a “man of God.”

Maidens of River Road Coverage from Tom Lyden on Vimeo.

When rumors began to spread of sexual abuse in the cult in the late 2000s, Barnard declared bankruptcy and left Minnesota. His departure caused the church members to split apart, and Barnard left for Washington state. Many of his followers went with him, where they eventually set up new businesses.

Victims gave impact statements during today’s sentencing hearing. The Star-Tribune reports how Lindsay Tornambe, whose sexual assaults at the hands of the religious leader began when she was 13, spoke of how it felt to finally tell authorities about the nine years of abuse inflicted upon her by Barnard.

“I used to see Victor as this powerful and monstrously strong man. I am his downfall. He cannot break me. He is the one that is weak. He will be known all over the world as a sexual predator.”

Before being formally sentenced by Judge P. Hunter Anderson, Barnard gave a brief statement, according to the Star-Tribune.

“God is good and his word is faithful and true. I have not walked in his goodness.”

The fallen leader said he was sorry for the pain he had caused, adding that he prays every day for his victims.

Barnard had become a fugitive by April, 2014, when authorities drew up the eventual 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct with which he was charged. The U.S. Marshals Service placed him on their most-wanted list. The Inquisitr reported on Barnard when he was located in 2015, living with one of his “maidens,” in a beach-side town in Brazil, where he was arrested after an international search. Barnard was extradited to the United States in June, 2016.

Cult leader Victor Barnard sentenced to 30 years in prison https://t.co/BXdIf9BMNV pic.twitter.com/MVxuPJAMsj

— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) October 28, 2016

On Friday, defense attorney Dave Risk spoke on behalf of his client, saying that Barnard had not been a fugitive, because he had traveled to Brazil using his own passport and name before charges were ever filed. The Star-Tribune also reported on comments by another of Barnard’s attorneys, who said his client had suffered extreme difficulties while jailed in Brazil, and when they first met with him there, Barnard told them his victims should be treated with integrity and respect.

According to ABC News, Risk spoke at the time of his client’s guilty plea, saying that Barnard had done so in order to prevent his victims and their families the pain of a trial. Outside of court, victim Jess Schlinsky made it clear she did not believe Barnard’s motives were pure, and both she and Tornambe were disappointed because they came to court wanting to expose the abuse they had suffered at the hands of Barnard.

“I think he wants to cover himself and his followers. It’s very cowardly. It’s offensive because we are completely prepared and want our story to be told … he doesn’t want the details told.”

County attorney Reese Frederickson agreed, saying his team had enough evidence to prepare for a six-week trial, and what had been made public to date was just a small example of Barnard’s actions, telling the Star-Tribune that as many as 17 girls were thought to have been abused by Barnard.

[Featured Image by Pine County Jail via AP File]