Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Peter Cox

Former cult leader gets 30 years for sexual abuse

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Victor Barnard AP File
Victor Barnard
AP

A former leader of a cult in Pine County has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually assaulting girls in his congregation.

Victor Barnard, 55, was sentenced Friday in Pine County District Court.

Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as part of a plea deal. He originally faced 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Barnard is accused of sexually abusing two women when they were as young as 12. An investigation was launched after they came forward in 2012. It led to an international manhunt for Barnard, who was eventually found in Brazil and extradited.

The girls were were members of Barnard's River Road Fellowship, based near Finlayson. It was an offshoot of "The Way," a non-denominational Christian group.

The congregation had been in rural Pine County for more than a decade and relocated to Washington state in 2011.

The Pine County Attorney's office says the victims in the case approved the plea agreement.

According to court records, Barnard has been sent to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He'll be credited for 609 days already spent in jail.