Taos, USA - The trial of the leader of a northern New Mexico religious cult on charges of fondling two naked, underage girls gets underway in Taos on Monday.
Wayne Bent, the leader of the Lord our Righteousness Church and self proclaimed son of God, is alleged to have fondled and lain naked with the two girls in his compound in Strong City north of Clayton in northeastern New Mexico.
Bent has maintained that his actions were healing and religious and not sexual in nature.
Bent was initially arrested back in May following a three-week investigation by the state’s Children Youth and Families Department and New Mexico State Police.
Bent has reportedly been fasting for the past several weeks in protest of the criminal charges against him.