Keith Raniere, the leader of NXIVM, a group that espoused a philosophy of self-improvement but was accused of recruiting, grooming and branding an inner circle of female sex slaves, was found guilty Wednesday by a federal jury in Brooklyn, reports NPR. Raniere, 58, known as “Vanguard,” was convicted on all charges, including sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, human trafficking and multiple counts of racketeering, including sexual exploitation of a child. U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue called Raniere “a modern-day Svengali.” Donoghue said, “Raniere, who portrayed himself as a savant and a genius, was in fact a massive manipulator, a conman and crime boss of a cult-like organization involving sex trafficking, child pornography, extortion compelled abortions, branding degradation and humiliation.”
The Albany, N.Y.-based group operated across the U.S. and in several other countries. Its devotees included an actress, an heiress and a 15-year-old girl; several of its high-ranking members have also been charged. During a six-week trial, women offered disturbing details of their experience with Raniere in what they said they initially believed was a women’s empowerment group. They testified that he ultimately blackmailed dozens of women into joining a secret society of “slaves” and “masters” called “DOS” or the “Vow,” that operated as a sex cult under a pyramid-scheme system in which they turned over a trove of damning “collateral” and often were left financially indebted to him. Actress Allison Mack, known for her role on the television series Smallville, pleaded guilty for her role as a “master” in the cult, often recruiting women who would ultimately be coerced into have sex with Raniere.