Cult leader betrayed by disciple, followers say

CLAYTON, N. M. (KRQE) - The self-proclaimed Messiah remains jailed in Clayton after being betrayed by one of his own just like Jesus, according to his son.

New Mexico State Police arrested Wayne Bent, also known as Michael Travesser, Tuesday morning at the Lord Our Righteousness compound north of Clayton near the Colorado border.  Bent, 66, the leader of the religious group, is in the Union County jail charged with three counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

KRQE News 13 spoke with Jeff Bent, Wayne Bent's son, who agreed to meet just outside the cult compound known as Strong City.  The younger Bent said his father was betrayed by one of his disciples but declined a request for a formal interview.

Instead he referred a reporter to a prerecorded statement.

"Sure, I'll work with you on that," Bent said over the front gate.

When State Police arrived at the compound, a church member grabbed a video camera during the frantic moments of the morning's arrest.

"Well the other agents do have a warrant but that's just for your dad Wayne," a State Police officer says on the video.  "We'll explain everything that's going on once we get into Clayton."

"You know there are no weapons here?" Jeff Bent responds as a woman weeps in the background.  "None.  Not even a peashooter."

"That's not a concern of ours," the officer says.  "The warrant is for other charges."

Cult members believe the allegations are the result of claims from a former member.

"She didn't make them a year or two ago, but for some reason this is when she decided to do it," Jeff Bent told KRQE News 13.

Jeff Bent said his father has lain skin to skin with female church members at the compound including juveniles who were sometimes naked.  But he said nothing of a sexual nature ever took place.

He said the girls requested the contact for spiritual healing.

Jeff Bent said no one at the compound has plans to bail Wayne Bent out of jail.  He's in jail because God put him there, so God will handle it the way he seems fit, he said.

Cult members said Bent's arrest was calm and peaceful.  They were allowed to hug Bent before state police took him away.

Tonight millions of television viewers will get an up-close look at the Strong City cult, its founder and its members.

National Geographic Channel reporters sat down with Bent and his young female followers to see what goes on inside the compound.

They described why they get naked together although Bent didn't have much to say when he was asked about the state's laws.

The documentary reveals about 31 members left after Bent/Travesser claimed he was the son of God and after some ex-cult members complained about him lying in bed with young girls.

Also in the documentary Travesser admits to sleeping with other cult members' wives.

"Inside a Cult" airs at 8 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel.

KRQE | Reporters:  Tim Maestas and Jessica Garate | Web Producer:  Bill Diven