MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
By Tom Olsen
Forum News Service
PINE CITY, Minn. — A minister who led a cult-like religious sect in northern Pine County sexually abused numerous girls and young women who lived apart from their families in a “Maidens Group,” according to recent criminal charges.
Victor Arden Barnard, 52, was charged last week in Pine County District Court with 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges pertain to two young women who reported being abused during a period of several years while living on the congregation’s compound in Finlayson. But authorities said there probably are more victims.
Barnard, who likened himself to Jesus, was last known to be living in Spokane, Wash., and remains at large. A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The charges are the result of a more-than-two-year investigation by the Pine County sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Steven Blackwell said Tuesday that his office has compiled boxfuls of evidence and logged countless hours trying to put the pieces together.
“The really difficult element about going in and trying to investigate this is that they’re a very tight religious sect,” Blackwell said. “It’s very difficult to get answers and information from that kind of community.”
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