Man known as prophet of an Oroville religious group sentenced for sexually assaulting members

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An Oroville man and accused cult leader was sentenced to 225 years in prison Tuesday for molesting four young girls and raping two women from the group, authorities said.Sansue Bee Vang, 58, was found guilty of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape following a seven-day trial in February.As part of his sentence, Vang is also required to register as a sex offender, the Butte County Dist.

Atty.’s Office said in a press release.At the sentencing, Judge Philip Heithecker heard testimony and statements from five of the six named victims that Vang was convicted of abusing.“All the women commented on the lasting impact the sexual assaults had on their lives,” the press release said.

“They told the judge that Vang’s actions continue to impact their mental health and their relationships with their families.” The charges originated from a disclosure in 2024, when an 11-year-old and her mother came forward saying they were sexually assaulted by Vang.The subsequent investigation identified four additional women who testified against Vang, authorities said.Vang is the founder, creator and leader of a Hmong religious organization called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which can loosely be translated to “belief in the mother.” The organization was originally founded in Appleton, Wis., where it gained a following and was moved to Fresno in 2015.

In 2020, Vang selected families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina and Fresno to relocate to Oroville in order to build a temple at the base of Table Mountain, according to the press release.California Two people ages 17 and 18 opened fire at the center Monday morning, police said.

They were found minutes later dead of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to authorities.Each of the victims in the case were members of the religious organization.Vang was referred to as the leader or “prophet...