NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, who ran a sex-cult under the guise of a self-help group, was found guilty on all counts on Wednesday.
After six weeks of testimony, the jurors reached their verdict in four hours of deliberation, the Daily Beastreports. The 58-year-old was accused of harboring sex slaves who were lured into a subset of his organization called DOS (Dominus Obsequious Sororium, Latin for Master Over Slave Women).
During closing arguments on Monday, assistant U.S. Attorney Moira Penza told the Brooklyn federal court, "The strict but carefully constructed image [Raniere's] inner circle made for him a humanitarian, leader, mentor and guru. You saw him for what he was: a con man, a predator and a crime boss. [Raniere] tapped into a never-ending flow of women and money. A crime boss with no limits and no checks on his power."
Mark Agnifilo, Raniere’s attorney, argued that, while the evidence presented during the case substantiated his "repulsive, disgusting, and offensive" nature, it wasn't enough to prove he did anything illegal. "We don’t convict people in this country for being repulsive and offensive," the legal rep said on Tuesday, per the New York Post. "Disgusting lifestyles aren’t criminal. He’s not mighty. He’s not great. He’s not godlike. He’s none of those things. He sits there and creates curriculum."
After the verdict was delivered, Catherine Oxenburg, a mother of one of the victims, simply told reporters, "He's done. Fucking asshole." Raniere's ex-girlfriend and former NXIVM member Barbara Bouchey wept outside of the courtroom as she was consoled by Agnifilo, who said, "Congratulations. I hope this helps."
Smallville actress Allison Mack initially entered a plea of not guilty after being arrested in connection to the ring last year. Back in April, Mack, who was accused of being a high level official in DOS, changed her plea to guilty and currently faces up to 40 years in prison.
The 36-year-old Mack tearfully told the court, "I have come to the conclusion that I must take full responsibility for my conduct and that’s why I am pleading guilty today. I am very sorry for my role in this case. I am very sorry to my family and to the good people I hurt through my misguided adherence to Keith Raniere's teachings."
