The Star Tribune is reporting that Minnesota authorities are conducting a nationwide search for Victor Barnard, a 59 year-old former minister who is facing 59 counts of first degree sexual assault against teen girls whom he referred to as “Maidens’”
Two women have come forward alleging that Barnard, who was the minister of a cult-like community in Minnesota, repeatedly raped them at very young ages.
One of the victims, Lindsay Tornambe, confirmed the details of the charges filed by prosecutors in a phone interview with the Tribune.
Tornambe, 27, explained that she met Barnard at her parents’ house when she was nine years-old. At age 11, her family joined the “Shepard’s Camp,” and by age 13, Barnard chose her to be “sacrificed by God” and he raped her. She alleges the sexual assaults continued over a period of nine years.
“If I wasn’t being spiritual or following his orders, he wouldn’t have sex with us,” she recalled. “If we were doing well, it was almost like he rewarded us.”
The second victim detailed in court documents how Barnard would compare their relationship to Jesus and Mary Magdalene. He also spoke of the concubines of King Solomon. The victim alleged he told the young girls that sex with him was normal because of “God’s word.”
When Tornambe tried to escape at the age of fifteen, Barnard manipulated her by threatening “damnation,” which convinced her to stay. Eventually, a few years later, she did escape and in 2012, she reported the assaults to the police.
Tornambe explained her life was controlled, “For so many years it seemed like I’d never have the chance to … even know who I was. We didn’t really have a chance to think for ourselves. We were told what time to get up, what time to go to bed, what we were eating, when we were going to sew.
“I definitely don’t want Victor hurting anyone else.”
Barnard was thought to be hiding in Washington state.
Thr Star Tribune has more pictutres of Barnard HERE and is asking the public for information.
Wanted: Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Victor Barnard is urged to call the Pine County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 1-320-629-8342.
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Kimberley A. Johnson (BIO) is the author of The Virgin Diaries and an activist for women’s rights. Like her on Facebook, Twitter or follow her on FB HERE. |
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