Cult leader, followers take defense online

CLAYTON, N. M. (KRQE) - The leader of a New Mexico cult who calls himself the Messiah is out of jail and back online with his followers praising his name and proclaiming his innocence.

The online postings started surfacing late Friday evening after Wayne Bent was released from the Union County jail. Earlier in the day Bent's son posted a $55,000 cash bond.

Bent, 66, the leader of the Strong City religious cult, is charged with three counts each of criminal sexual contact with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor involving juvenile followers.

In his latest post Bent told followers his arrest was all just a part of God's prophecy.

He assured the group he's innocent and claimed state authorities and others want to "rid the earth of the Messiah".

"I am resting now and my strength is returning," he wrote.  "I know that this is all in God's hands, for the people who love me seem like they are only in the thousands, while those who hate me, and welcome any negative report about me, are in the millions

"The mob is very large..."

In a Clayton courtroom Thursday Bent, who also goes by the name Michael Travesser, told a judge he couldn't afford a lawyer.

According to his online post, the $55,000 for his bond came mostly from cult members' Social Security.

Earlier this week, Bent refused to be bailed out but said he changed his mind because his followers missed him too much.

Many of the Strong City members also commented online.

"Oh my Michael, my husband, my beautiful one," a woman named Liberty wrote.  "You have given all for me, even to allow yourself to look like a pedophile, just to heal me.

"I give you everything I am and have, take my heart, my life and my soul. My love, I am here for you."

"What would our life be without your?" a woman identifying herself as Israela Travesser wrote.  "You are our life. You are the reason we live. You breathed your life into us and caused these dead bones to live."

Bent insisted his acts with naked girls at the cult compound were acts of healing, not anything sexual.

The Union County district attorney said Friday he expects to present the case against Bent to a grand jury later this month.

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