N.M. Cops Arrest Apocalyptic Church Leader

66-Year-Old Faces Charges Stemming From Child Sex Abuse Allegations

(CBS/AP)  New Mexico state police say they have arrested the leader of an apocalyptic church on sex charges.

State police spokesman Peter Olson says 66-year-old Wayne Bent was picked up without incident Tuesday at the remote former ranch where he and his followers live. He is facing three charges of criminal sexual contact.

Bent goes by the name of Michael Travesser and claims to be the Messiah. State child welfare officials say there have been allegations of inappropriate contact between Bent and children at the northeastern New Mexico compound.

Bent has acknowledged having sex with his followers, but police have not detailed the allegations against him.

Last week, two girls and one boy - all under the age of 18 - were taken from the northeastern New Mexico compound following an April 22 investigation, Romaine Serna, spokeswoman for the state Children, Youth and Families Department, said

"There was never any child molestation, or adult molestation by anyone, including myself," Bent wrote in a posting last week on the church's Web site. "There has never been 'sex with minors' or anything remotely approaching that."

Bent, on an April 27 posting on the Web site, accused the state of kidnapping the children. "My children are kidnapped because some demon wrote a letter to people in authority accusing me of some crimes," he wrote.

"When the state came against our children (seed), the state came against God, and this will NOT ever be forgiven them," he wrote.

In a lengthy discussion dated Sept. 11, 2007, Bent said his work is finished and he does not expect to be "in the earthly sphere" much longer.

He acknowledged having sex with three women - the wives of two of his followers and his daughter-in-law. He said it was at the direction of God and the instigation of the women.

[dwconder]

What also should be considered here are the remaining fifty deluded people who have followed this nutcase into the desert and who have sacrificed themselves to another religious con. This world can be truly free only when it is once and for all time free from religion! As long as there are messiahs and madmen, there will be wars and rumors of war! %u2014 Darrell W. Conder

[magoo2u1]

Lookey here fubar, people aren''t noticing - but YOU are being noticed. It looks to me like you aren''t "religious" enough. Please post a copy of your signed loyalty oath so the rest of us can be sure you are a faithful, devoted,Christian American.

If I''m not mistaken soldiers have been harassed by their superiors for not being "protestant" enough and those soldiers are taking it to court. In particular one soldier was ostracized for being atheist. In the future every citizen would be advised to have their religion noted on their drivers license. Makes it easier to sort bodies and / or put you on the train to the right camps.

[acolton1]

He looks like a Drag Queen in the Picture above. Wayne Bent or Michael Travesser what ever your name is all you are is a CRAZY freek who thinks that God talks to you. Lay off the Meds and Party Favors and butch up a bit you look like a drag queen with that cloth on your head. RUPAUL can give you some fantastic make over beauty tips because Wayne Bent you are a very UGLY Drag Queen.