Minn. Cult Leader Pleads Guilty To Sexually Abusing Underage Girls

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Pine County man accused of abusing underage girls who were in his religious cult has struck a plea deal with prosecutors.

Victor Barnard, 55, was charged with 59 counts of sexual abuse in 2014. He fled the United States and was living as a fugitive in Brazil until he was captured by military police in early 2015.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Victor Barnard mugshot from 2016 (credit: Pine Co. Sheriff's Office)

Barnard led the River Road Fellowship, a private Christian community, for years in Pine County.

Authorities accused Barnard of running a cult in which he created a separate "Maidens Group" camp, living separately with girls and women aged 12 to 24.

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The plea deal states that 57 of the 59 charges will be dropped against Barnard, and he will serve a total sentence of 30 years in prison.

Barnard will be sentenced on Oct. 28.