Church leader arrested on sex charges
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - May 6, 2008 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's 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
haven't detailed the allegations against him. Officials recently
removed two girls and a boy from the compound.
