Bail Set for Alleged Cult Leader Accused of Sex Assault

By Dave Aeikens
KAAL
June 20, 2016

http://www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/s4174543.shtml

Victor Barnard

Bail was set Monday for a man accused of sexually abusing girls who were followers in his alleged cult.

A Pine County District Court judge set conditional bail for 54-year-old Victor Barnard at $1.5 million and unconditional bail at $3 million.

The conditions include wearing a GPS, forfeiting his passport and not leaving Minnesota.

Barnard was extradited to Minnesota Saturday. He was arrested in Brazil about a year ago and is charged with 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Prosecutors say Barnard was the leader of the River Road Fellowship in Finlayson, Minnesota. He is accused of molesting female minors during a 10-year period.

The girls and women were part of a group called "maidens" that were kept at a camp. According to the charges against him, the girls viewed Barnard as a "rock star" and fawned over him. Investigators say he told one 13-year-old girl that "it was normal for (him) to have sex with her because it was in God's Word."

In court on Monday, Barnard appeared thin and frail and uttered only four words, answering a procedural question with, "Your Honor, I do."

During the 20-minute hearing, attorneys argued over what Barnard's bail should be set at. Prosecutors told a judge Barnard had moved to Washington state and then Brazil before charges were filed because he was attempting to escape eventual charges in Minnesota. They also warned that Barnard still has a group of devoted followers who would "do anything for him" and potentially help "shield" him from authorities if he were released on bail.

Barnard's attorney countered that his client had come back to Minnesota willingly, has no money and is in ill health after spending a year in a Brazilian prison.

The judge sided largely with the prosecution in setting a bail that would minimize the risk of Barnard fleeing before his next court appearance.

He is due in court again on July 5.