Concern about sexual misconduct prompted escape from cult

ELEPHANT BUTTE, N. M. (KRQE) -.A New Mexico woman who spent nearly a decade as a member of a religious cult now living in Union County said she's not surprised that its leader is being investigated for sexual misconduct.

Trina Golden told KRQE New 13 she suspected abuse many years ago when cult leader Wayne Bent, who calls himself the Messiah and the son of God, told her about a dream he had involving a young, naked girl.

State authorities removed two girls and boy from Strong City, the group's compound, last week.  The state went to court this week to gain temporary custody of the children, but with the judge issuing a gag order, it's unclear what happened.

Golden said she spent nine years in Strong City before concerns about Bent, who also calls himself Michael Travesser, led her leave.

"Basically, it's like hell; it's like living in hell," Golden told KRQE News 13.

The cult is about to become even better known.  National Geographic is planning to broadcast a special on the inner workings of the group on May 7.

Golden and her former husband joined the Lord Our Righteousness Church led by Travesser when she was 19.  The cult recruited members like her from Seventh - day Adventist churches across the country, she said.

She and other members of her family were lured in by many false promises, she said.

"To be free from sin; to always be happy," Golden said.  "I was like, well, who wouldn't want that?

"So that's what attracted me to the group."

But day-to-day life in the cult's compound wasn't what Golden expected.  She said her days were filled with meetings, hard labor and endless lecture.

And those who disobeyed were mentally and sometimes physically abused with no exception for children, she alleged.

"When we were in meetings, it could be up to six, 12 hours, whatever," Golden continued.  "You had to sit there, and if the baby would cry or anything, you would have to cover it's mouth and nose.

"I've seen people covering their baby's mouth to where they would pass out."

Golden said it was Travesser's comment several years ago about a vision of a young girl that finally prompted her to plan her escape.

"Wayne Bent, as in Michael, stood up and said that he had a dream, he had a vision," Golden said.  "It was a little girl, she was naked and she had a towel around.

"As she dropped the towel and he started to touch her body all over.  Just that there old me get your children and get out of there now..."

Golden with her two children, then-husband and her sister lied to cult leaders and said they would be attending a church meeting in another state.

They left and never looked back.

"I don't want anyone to go through what I went through," she said.

Travesser has insisted he did not inappropriately touch children.  He also has accused the state of kidnapping the three children taken from the compound and is not giving interviews.

KRQE | Reporter:  Addie Knowlton | Web Producer:  Bill Diven