A minister who sexually abused a group of girls at a Christian camp of "Maidens" in Minnesota is currently facing 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct.
52-year-old Victor A. Barnard hasn't yet been found by Pine County authorities, but an arrest warrant has been issued, the Associated Press reported. He was reportedly last known to be living around Spokane, Wash.
Barnard has been accused of sexually abusing girls between the ages of 12 and 24 over the span of many years, the Star Tribune reported. The 52-year-old man reportedly began abusing girls in 2000 at a Finlayson Christian camp organized through River Road Fellowship.
Two girls, along with a handful of others, stepped forward to tell authorities of the abuse. Authorities told the Tribune that Barnard told the young girls to give themselves to god, never marry and consent to have sex with him. Officials from the River Road Fellowship said girls and women of the group acted as though Barnard was "a rock star, fawning all over him," according to the complaint.
One of the girls who came forward, referred to as "B" in the document, told the Sheriff's Office in January 2012 that she'd been abused since 2000 at age 13. Barnard reportedly continued to sexually abuse her until she was 22 years old.
B stated that Barnard told her he was a direct disciple of Jesus, who had Mary Madalene and other women following him. He also said that "god's word" allowed him to have sex with her.
Barnard additionally engaged in sexual relations with a group of married women in his congregation, the Star Tribune reported.
A sergeant from the Pine County Sheriff's Office involved in the investigation went to the address listed on Barnard's driver's license, and met a church leader there. According to the religious official, Barnard visited the location occasionally.
No other information is currently known about Barnard's whereabouts.
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