Conviction
On Monday, December 15, 2008, jurors convicted Wayne Bent of one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was acquitted of a second charge of criminal sexual contact with a minor. Bent was allowed to return to Strong City, the sect's compound near Clayton, pending sentencing. On Dec 30th, Judge Gerald Baca imposed the maximum sentence of 18 years but suspended eight years. He will have to serve at least 8½ years before becoming eligible for release.
An Albuquerque news station reported that as of September 11, 2009, Bent has been on hunger strike while in prison, and a judge has ordered that force-feeding be used should it become necessary. According to the church's website, Mr. Bent entered a religious fast that takes the form of a Jubilee fast. It is also claimed that his fast is a protest of his imprisonment 'because of a lie'.
Read more about this topic: Lord Our Righteousness Church
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