NXIVM guru Keith Raniere gets 120 years in prison in sex-slaves case

New York, October 28

Disgraced self-improvement guru Keith Raniere, whose NXIVM followers included millionaires and Hollywood actors, was sentenced to 120 years for turning some adherents into intercourse slaves branded together with his initials and sexually abusing a 15-year-old.

US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis on Tuesday referred to as Raniere “ruthless and unyielding” in crimes that had been “particularly egregious” as a result of he focused women and younger ladies within the sex-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in Raniere’s conviction final 12 months.

He handed down the unusually stiff sentence in Brooklyn federal courtroom after listening to 15 victims name for a protracted jail time period to replicate the nightmares and anguish they will confront the remainder of their lives.

As he introduced the sentence, Garaufis famous that Raniere labelled a few of the victims’ claims lies.

The choose informed a girl who Raniere ordered to be stored in a room for 2 years when she was 18: “What occurred to you is just not your fault.” He stated that went for the opposite victims too.

Raniere, who checked out victims as they spoke within the courtroom, maintained his defiant tone, though he stated he was “truly sorry” that his organisation led to a spot the place “there may be a lot anger and a lot ache.”

“I do imagine I’m harmless of the costs. … It is true I’m not remorseful of the crimes I don’t imagine I dedicated in any respect,” Raniere stated.

Prosecutors had sought life in jail, whereas a defence lawyer informed the choose Raniere ought to face 20 years behind bars.

The sentencing was the end result of a number of years of revelations about Raniere’s program, NXIVM, which charged 1000’s of {dollars} for invitation-only self-improvement programs at its headquarters close to Albany, New York, together with branches in Mexico and Canada. Adherents endured humiliation and pledged obedience to Raniere as a part of his teachings.

NXIVM has been the topic of two TV documentary collection this 12 months, HBO’s “The Vow,” and the Starz collection “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.” Prosecutors stated Raniere, 60, led what amounted to a legal enterprise, inducing disgrace and guilt to affect and management co-conspirators who helped recruit and groom sexual companions for him. Raniere was convicted on fees together with racketeering, alien smuggling, intercourse trafficking, extortion and obstruction of justice.

After victims spoke for two half hours, the choose grew impatient and a bit indignant when protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo sought to painting his shopper’s organisation as “doing good” for girls earlier than issues turned unhealthy for some.

“I’ve heard sufficient about Mr. Raniere’s theories,” Garaufis snapped.

The choose stated Raniere groomed a 13-year-old woman in order that “two years later he is having intercourse with a 15-year-old woman.” At one other level, he lower Agnifilo off because the lawyer tried to argue victims weren’t all the time factually right.

“You’re starting to tire me out here,” the judge said. “It’s pretty clear he took advantage of people sexually.” Earlier, India Oxenberg, the daughter of “Dynasty” actor Catherine Oxenberg, referred to as Raniere an “entitled little princess” and a sexual predator and lamented that she “may have to spend the rest of my life with Keith Raneire’s initials seared into me.” Another sufferer stated she had the initials faraway from her physique by a plastic surgeon.

Other victims labelled him a liar, a parasite, a terrorist, a sociopath, a racist, a sadist and “a toddler with an excessive amount of energy and 0 accountability.” And the girl who was sexually abused starting at age 15 stated Raniere groomed her by telling her she was mature for her age.

“It is fake. I used to be a toddler,” she stated.

She stated that when Raniere noticed blood working down her arm after a botched suicide try, he revealed his self-obsessed angle, asking her: “Do you know how bad that could have been for me if you killed yourself?” The chance of leniency had appeared to dissipate with the current sentencing of Clare Bronfman, 41, an inheritor to the Seagram’s liquor fortune, for her function in NXIVM, which has been described by some ex-members as a cult. Bronfman was sentenced to almost seven years in jail. Prosecutors had solely sought 5 years.

Ex-followers informed the choose that Bronfman for years had used her wealth to attempt to silence NXIVM defectors.

Reniere’s followers referred to as him “Vanguard.” To honor him, the group shaped a secret sorority comprised of feminine “slaves” who had been branded together with his initials and ordered to have intercourse with him, the prosecutors stated. Women had been additionally pressured into giving up embarrassing details about themselves that might be used towards them in the event that they left the group.

Along with Bronfman, Raniere’s teachings gained him the devotion of Hollywood actors, together with Allison Mack of TV’s “Smallville.” Mack additionally has pleaded responsible to fees within the case and is awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar informed the choose solely a life sentence would shield the general public as a result of Raniere in any other case “could be committing crimes at this time, tomorrow and sooner or later.” — AP