According to reports, NXIVM leader and co-founder Keith Reniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison after he was convicted of seven felonies. Those felonies included sex trafficking, racketeering, and possession of child pornography.
In addition, the court imposed a fine of $1,750,000.
The 60-year-old was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis. The same judge, who had presided over Raniere’s six-week trial in 2019, that ended in Raniere convicted on all counts. Garaufis stated Raniere classified some of the victims’ claims as lies. However, told a woman who Raniere ordered to be kept in a room for two years when she was 18 years old: “What happened to you is not your fault.”
Seth DuCharme, the U.S Attorney, hopes that after Raniere sentence will cause intimidation to the other aspiring cult leaders.
“The 120-year sentence imposed on Keith Raniere today is a measure of his appalling crimes committed over a decade,” said DuCharme. “Raniere exploited and abused his victims emotionally, physically and sexually for his personal gratification.”
“It is my hope that today’s sentence brings closure to the victims and their families,” he continued.
In an interview with NBC’s Dateline, Reniere stated he does not feel guilty about what happened. However, he apologized to the hurt victims.
“I am innocent,” he stated.
“This is a horrible tragedy with many, many people being hurt,” he said. “There is a horrible injustice here. And whether you think I’m the devil or not, the justice process has to be examined.”
While most would be pleased with proceedings and the sentencing, Marc Elliot, who was also a member in NXIVM, believes that Raniere did not get a fair trial.
“We all should be fighting for due process no matter how much you don’t like it or how inconvenient it is,” Elliot said. “Because if someone or society ever turns on you, you better hope to God that due process and laws are still standing to protect you.”
According to reports, Raniere had a secret “club” in New York, called DOS. Where the female victims gave information’s to the organization about the sex and prosecutors. In addtion, with the help of this, they got him in short time in 2019.
India Oxenberg, former member of NXIVM, said in a CBS This Morning interview that she was hoped for a longer sentence from the judge in regards to the former leader.
“I hope the judge gives him life in prison. I think he’s a dangerous manand that if he’s released, he will do exactly what he’s always done. And that puts me and other women and men at risk,” Oxenberg said.
In addition, she’d state it was hard to leave NXIVM once she became entangled in the group.
“When you’re unaware, it’s so easy to be led astray,” she said. “Especially by people who are masters at manipulation.”
More people pleaded guilty about the situation, including Nancy Salmzman, who was an NXIVM benefactor and her daughter, Lauren Salzman. In addition, bookkeeper Kathy Russell and Claire Bronfman, the Seagram liquor heiress, who was sentenced to 81 months in jail.
NXIVM, who is the subject of the HBO docu-series “The Vow” will release their second season next year. Raniere is to be featured in the next season.
