MINNESOTA
KARE
PINE CITY, Minn. – A religious sect leader who was charged with sexually abusing girls at his secluded compound has been sentenced to 30 years.
Victor Barnard, 55, was stoic as his official sentence was announced.
He told the court he is asking God to heal him.
“God is good, his word is faithful … and I have not walked in his goodness,” Barnard said, after his sentencing.
Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and under terms of that deal, agreed to serve 30 years. He will get credit for roughly two years that he’s already served.
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