California cult prophet learns fate for vile sex crimes and the loophole that could set him free early

A Northern California cult “prophet” has been sentenced to life behind bars for molesting four young girls and raping two of his female adult followers, but a loophole in state law could set him go free much earlier.The Oroville cult leader Sansue Bee Vang was sentenced to 225 years to life after being found guilty of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape, according to the Butte County District Attorney’s office.He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.Vang is the founder and leader of the Hmong religious organization called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which loosely translated means “Belief in Mother.”In 2020 he built his temple and community in the town at the base of North Table Mountain, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.The cult leader, with connections to Wisconsin and Fresno, recruited families from both locations along with North Carolina and Minnesota to establish his religious community.The DA shared horrific details at trial about what Vang did to his female followers, young and old.Vang molested multiple girls in the cult, ages 6 to 12.

One girl, who was sexually assaulted on five separate occasions, testified that the cult leader “threatened to beat her if she disclosed the repeated molestations.”Three other girls testified Vang repeatedly touched them and told them he would marry them one day, per the DA.The DA said on two separate occasions, Vang forcibly raped one of his female followers and then threatened the woman violence to her and her family if she spoke about the assaults.Another woman who was raped by the cult leader, said Vang told her he could see horrible things happening to her family and their entire community if she refused to have sex with him.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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