Tornambe said she first met Barnard when she was 9. Living in Pennsylvania, her parents had been following his ministry and home schooling their children. The family visited Minnesota a lot, she said, and eventually moved to join the congregation near Finlayson when she was 11.
They lived and worked there and had little contact with the outside world, she said.
It became clear sometime after her name was called at the meeting with the congregation that her move to live with Barnard was intended to be permanent. “My parents dropped me off July 23, 2000,” Tornambe said. “Victor had us celebrate it every year, it was like our anniversary.”
Within about a month of the move, she said, Barnard talked to her about sex. He used terms she didn’t understand, and he grew angry about it, thinking she was lying about not understanding. She said he raped her for the first time then and continued sexually assaulting her over the course of nine years. The frequency varied from about once a month to about five times a month, she said.
“If I wasn’t being spiritual or following his orders, he wouldn’t have sex with us,” she said. “If we were doing well, it was almost like he rewarded us.” She rarely saw her parents, though they lived only about 5 miles away, she said.
The complaint says that females ages 12 to 24 were in the Maidens Group and that Barnard would preach to them about giving themselves to God and never marrying. They were sometimes called “Alamoth,” a biblical word referencing virginity, the document says. Barnard taught the girls that he represented Jesus and that he had left his wife and children to live on camp property, telling the larger congregation that the move was so he could dedicate himself to God.
Tornambe said she tried to leave the group once, when she was 15. Barnard took back a ring, a veil and other gifts he had given her before she went home to her parents, she said, and her mother cried for a week with disappointment. When Barnard called clergy members, the maidens and their parents together for a meeting shortly afterward, he talked about damnation from God. Fearful, Tornambe went back with Barnard.
“I was really scared, and I didn’t know what receiving damnation from God would be like,” she said. “I ended up just staying.”
Robbed of childhood
On a rural dirt road 5 miles southwest of Finlayson, the Salvation Army now runs the Northwoods Camp, a rustic collection of century-old cabins and newer buildings. When this property was owned by the River Road Fellowship, which included about 150 people, it was home to “Shepherd’s Camp,” where Barnard brought his maidens. He lived in the camp’s “lodge” and would call for one girl or another “when he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her,” the charges say.
According to the complaint, “B” told authorities that Barnard explained that Jesus had Mary Magdalene and other women as followers and that King Solomon had many concubines, adding that “God’s word” made having sex with him normal. She told authorities that Barnard warned her not to tell anyone about the sex, that he would hit her when angered and that other girls were called “to see Barnard in the same manner,” according to court documents.
A few years later, Tornambe said, she left permanently. She had traveled to Brazil with another one of the maidens who was originally from that country, and she decided there that she wanted out of the religion. When she came back to the United States, the group had moved to Washington state, she said. She went to live with her parents, who had by then moved to Pennsylvania. They still had pictures of Barnard in their house, she said, and continued to send money to him.
She stopped going to church, she said, and started to adapt to the outside world that was foreign from the insular one where she had grown up.
“I didn’t know anything. We made all our own clothes. I didn’t know anything about the Internet or cellphones,” she said. She took jobs working at a health club and waitressing, eventually becoming a nanny.
After ringing in 2012 at a New Year’s party with cousins who happily talked about their futures, she decided she’d been robbed of too much of her childhood. That week, she called authorities to tell her story.
Another victim
The criminal complaint details the story of another girl, called “C,” that is similar to Tornambe’s.
C said her abuse began in 2000, when she was 12. She lived with nine other girls and also rarely saw her family. C said Barnard also told her that the sex was ordained by God.
In February 2001, Barnard, C and her parents met. He told her family that he might have sex with her, even though that had already been occurring.
That month, C was part of a ceremony that Barnard called the “Salt Covenant,” a pledge by the girls to remain unmarried and loyal to Barnard until death.
C also said a calendar was kept in the kitchen that chronicled when the other girls would have sex with Barnard, though all the while the girls would never speak to one another about what was happening.
C separated from the group several times in June 2008 until leaving for good and moving to Wisconsin in September 2009. She became depressed and attempted suicide in 2011. Her brother, also formerly part of the fellowship, confronted her. She then told him about the abuse.
Community on its own
The story of both girls, told in the charges, has rocked the normally quiet community near Minnesota’s eastern border.
From his carefully kept house, Jay Gault would sometimes see women and girls across the dirt road, in the camp property’s woods, tapping trees for maple syrup.
But when he would go get his mail, they would scatter, said Gault, 61. “They’d go back in the woods. They wouldn’t look at you.”
In an area where drivers wave when passing one another, neighbors noticed that the people at the camp “kept to themselves,” as several put it.
Dick Bowser, who recently retired from East Central Energy, said the church wouldn’t let power company or fire department employees on the property — “and when they did let you in, they watched you very closely.”
“It was strange,” Bowser said.
The men sometimes left to do carpentry or construction work, but “you didn’t see the women very much,” he said. Bowser, 60, lives down the road, but even from that distance, he’d hear them, faintly, chanting and singing.
Then, a few years ago, the camp cleared out. Gault noticed that businesses affiliated with the congregation — a construction company among them — suddenly closed, as well. Then word came about the alleged sexual abuse. “It’s been the buzz around here,” Gault said, shaking his head.
“I didn’t expect it to be anything good that was going on down there,” Bowser said. “But I certainly didn’t expect what it’s looking like it’s turning out to be.”
Worried for her sisters
Now 27, Tornambe said life is still an adjustment.
The criminal complaints say that Pine County sheriff’s investigator Matt Ludwig told “B’s” parents about the abuse in June 2012 and that her mother “did not want to hear it.”
Her father agreed to speak with Ludwig, explaining that he allowed his daughter to live away from them because she seemed happy.
He described the “atmosphere in the congregation and said it is a very powerful force to face the idea of losing everything — family, home, friends, business and being cast out of the church — if you do not go along with what Barnard wants you to do,” according to the charges.
B’s father recalled Barnard coming to him and rationalizing his having sex with the girls. The father “felt pressured to not say anything,” the complaint continued. “[The father] said he did not know what he was thinking at the time but just remembers feeling so much pressure to not become an outcast and lose everything he had.”
Tornambe has had bouts of depression where she considered suicide, she said. She physically hurt herself, she said, feeling that actual pain was better than trying to confront her emotional pain.
“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,” she said. “We were told what time to get up, what time to go to bed, what we were eating, when we were going to sew.”
Tornambe decided to speak out publicly, she said, to try to stop Barnard. Her mother and two sisters are still involved with him, she said. She hopes telling her story will help other victims, too, she said.
“I definitely don’t want Victor hurting anyone else.”
I watched this afternoon and my stomach turned. I recall some posters (long ago) who spoke of similar things even with this particular individual, and while watching the show, the father was presented as being responsible although not to blame.
Those of us who were involved with the main organization - twi - were also "responsible" for things we permitted and or encouraged or even enforced among our families. The brilliant light of the show seemed to mark all of us as "responsible". Of course there is only so much time on one TV program, and I am glad that a magnifying glass was focused on this for informational purposes. But it would have been good to also show a bright light on how the subtle brainwashing into this cult mentality is - - for the same informational purposes.
I watched this afternoon and my stomach turned. I recall some posters (long ago) who spoke of similar things even with this particular individual, and while watching the show, the father was presented as being responsible although not to blame.
Those of us who were involved with the main organization - twi - were also "responsible" for things we permitted and or encouraged or even enforced among our families. The brilliant light of the show seemed to mark all of us as "responsible". Of course there is only so much time on one TV program, and I am glad that a magnifying glass was focused on this for informational purposes. But it would have been good to also show a bright light on how the subtle brainwashing into this cult mentality is - - for the same informational purposes.
It appears I may not have been clear in why I posted the link to the Huff Post story.
I just wanted to post the clip.
I'm in complete agreement with Krys about each point in her comment. I'm thankful I was out of TWI before having children. But even then, the harshness that was modeled by Wierwille and Martindale was something it took me a long time to shake and it adversely impacted my relationship with my daughter... which I very much regret.
It would indeed be great to see a program like Dr. Phil address the subtlety of the mind f**k we got ourselves into as young adults. A one hour television program goes by incredibly fast.
I've had the opportunity to participate in one hour radio shows recently and it goes by even faster when you're in the middle of it.
Sorry that I wasn't clear. I appreciate your perspective, Krys, very much.
"..... the harshness that was modeled by Wierwille and Martindale was something it took me a long time to shake and it adversely impacted my relationship with my daughter... which I very much regret."
I could say the same about marital relationships. All the hooey about "Be a man! Grow a pair! Take charge!" Where's the room for compromise and free exchange of ideas and feelings? There were guys out there beating their wives, beating their kids, both physically and emotionally because that was the example they were presented by so-called leaders. Sure, Wierwille talked about compromise in Christian Family and Sex class but that was all just a bunch of talk. In real life, the man was a tyrant with his wife. Too many of us patterned our lives after his "machismo" example. It took its toll. I'm sorry I ever thought the man knew anything about marriage, sorry I tried to pattern some of my behavior after leadership.
I know this is off-topic so I'll start another thread.
I saw the Dr Phil item. I felt really ill during and after watching. Even with an understanding of the background/cult indoctrination. I'd imagine the feelings of the general non-Wayfer population would waver between total incredulity and furious rage.
I liked that Dr Phil offered Lindsay some counseling to help her get over it. But not just offered to the "Maiden" - he also offered counseling to the father, Carmen, to help him come to terms with his own responsibilities and failures.
Notably the mother wasn't featured in the interview. She's just as culpable as the father.
I saw the Dr Phil item. I felt really ill during and after watching. Even with an understanding of the background/cult indoctrination. I'd imagine the feelings of the general non-Wayfer population would waver between total incredulity and furious rage.
I liked that Dr Phil offered Lindsay some counseling to help her get over it. But not just offered to the "Maiden" - he also offered counseling to the father, Carmen, to help him come to terms with his own responsibilities and failures.
Notably the mother wasn't featured in the interview. She's just as culpable as the father.
The mother is still in RRF, VB's TWI offshoot. Darn tootin' she's just as culpable. I hope Carmen and Lindsay reconcile someday. It took a lot of guts for both Lindsay to come forward and make the whole thing public and for Carmen to come as far as he has so far in accepting responsibility. I realize he's got a ways to go still.
Having know and trusted loved ones who commit horific acts is not only relegated to TWI or similar organizations. It's power, it happens in families, businesses and the military. It's the power. Take a couple of our presidents for example. What hurts is when it hits home - we think we should have been able to do things about it and then in the end - we get a guilt complex. And again, in the end, we have to deal with that guilt, over and over, and over..........! Kinda like the death thing: Denial, Anger, etc. Do we all want justice or just plain old revenge - as I heard on GSC on a long ago thread: Karma. So, what emotion do you really want to wallow in, choose carefully, cause it will stick to you.
Victor Barnard attempted suicide this week in the prison at Campo Grande in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. He was taken to the hospital under guard and was in ICU.
wooooooooowwww Wordwolf....all I can say is there would still be those in twi who would do similar as VB if they thought they could get away with it ...sick ba$tards
A former religious leader sentenced (charged) to 59 sex offenders in the United States, was discharged from the ICU of the Regional Hospital in Campo Grande. He will be taken to a ward and will continue to escort the Federal Police. Victor Arden Barnard, 60, is being held in the Federal Penitentiary of Campo Grande on Saturday (14) attempted suicide by hanging. He was admitted to the HR early Sunday morning (15) in serious condition and doctors came to see that he had a lack of oxygen framework in the brain.
Three days after being admitted to the ICU, he has improved and his health condition is stable, according to medical bulletin of the Regional Hospital. Because of the attempted hanging, Victor Barnard has a trauma to the larynx.
EDIT NOTE: Victor Barnard is 54 I am pretty sure, not 60 as the article says. His age reported in news articles there have always been a bit mixed up.
It appears that the Federal Supreme Court in Brazil finally granted the US Marshal's extradition request on March 8th, 2016. At least that is how various online translators render this page to me:
(Summarized- short version) By unanimous decision (with one absent judge), the extradition is granted provided the courts in the US do not seek more than 30 years imprisonment.
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Rocky
Links to local and national news coverage, including video from Fox9 and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Photo essay... Star Tribune article with video Two Childhood Rape Survivors Just Ended a C
MnMom
I know for a fact Peggy is still devoted to him (Victor) even after he has plead guilty. I know Lacey (2nd oldest daughter) is still out in Spokane or Bellingham area. I can only guess she supports
Broken Arrow
Un-bel-ievable!!! That any parent, but especially a parent who espouses to know God, would literally sacrifice not just one daughter but two and thinking they're doing God's will somehow! How wazzed o
excathedra
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excathedra
can't believe this piece of crap is still out there
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Longhunter
Wow! I had no idea there was a TWI connection to him. I never heard of him during my time at the Way (1984 until recently) ... not surprised.
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Rocky
Carmen and Lindsay are going to be on Dr. Phil tomorrow (Tuesday November 25).
Set your DVR.
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Modgellan
Here are 4 or 5 segments from the show today-
My Father Offered Me as a Maiden
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krys
I watched this afternoon and my stomach turned. I recall some posters (long ago) who spoke of similar things even with this particular individual, and while watching the show, the father was presented as being responsible although not to blame.
Those of us who were involved with the main organization - twi - were also "responsible" for things we permitted and or encouraged or even enforced among our families. The brilliant light of the show seemed to mark all of us as "responsible". Of course there is only so much time on one TV program, and I am glad that a magnifying glass was focused on this for informational purposes. But it would have been good to also show a bright light on how the subtle brainwashing into this cult mentality is - - for the same informational purposes.
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Rocky
There's a five minute video clip on Huffington Post... not just a trailer.
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Rocky
It appears I may not have been clear in why I posted the link to the Huff Post story.
I just wanted to post the clip.
I'm in complete agreement with Krys about each point in her comment. I'm thankful I was out of TWI before having children. But even then, the harshness that was modeled by Wierwille and Martindale was something it took me a long time to shake and it adversely impacted my relationship with my daughter... which I very much regret.
It would indeed be great to see a program like Dr. Phil address the subtlety of the mind f**k we got ourselves into as young adults. A one hour television program goes by incredibly fast.
I've had the opportunity to participate in one hour radio shows recently and it goes by even faster when you're in the middle of it.
Sorry that I wasn't clear. I appreciate your perspective, Krys, very much.
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waysider
"..... the harshness that was modeled by Wierwille and Martindale was something it took me a long time to shake and it adversely impacted my relationship with my daughter... which I very much regret."
I could say the same about marital relationships. All the hooey about "Be a man! Grow a pair! Take charge!" Where's the room for compromise and free exchange of ideas and feelings? There were guys out there beating their wives, beating their kids, both physically and emotionally because that was the example they were presented by so-called leaders. Sure, Wierwille talked about compromise in Christian Family and Sex class but that was all just a bunch of talk. In real life, the man was a tyrant with his wife. Too many of us patterned our lives after his "machismo" example. It took its toll. I'm sorry I ever thought the man knew anything about marriage, sorry I tried to pattern some of my behavior after leadership.
I know this is off-topic so I'll start another thread.
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Twinky
I saw the Dr Phil item. I felt really ill during and after watching. Even with an understanding of the background/cult indoctrination. I'd imagine the feelings of the general non-Wayfer population would waver between total incredulity and furious rage.
I liked that Dr Phil offered Lindsay some counseling to help her get over it. But not just offered to the "Maiden" - he also offered counseling to the father, Carmen, to help him come to terms with his own responsibilities and failures.
Notably the mother wasn't featured in the interview. She's just as culpable as the father.
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Rocky
The mother is still in RRF, VB's TWI offshoot. Darn tootin' she's just as culpable. I hope Carmen and Lindsay reconcile someday. It took a lot of guts for both Lindsay to come forward and make the whole thing public and for Carmen to come as far as he has so far in accepting responsibility. I realize he's got a ways to go still.
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excathedra
I can't believe this Fwad hasn't been arrested yet
"doctor" phil makes me sick (just a side note)
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Raf
Busted!!!
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27616870/minnesota-brides-christ-cult-leader-arrested-brazil?source=rss
Courtesy of Jeff Sjolander
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HAPe4me
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MRAP
Having know and trusted loved ones who commit horific acts is not only relegated to TWI or similar organizations. It's power, it happens in families, businesses and the military. It's the power. Take a couple of our presidents for example. What hurts is when it hits home - we think we should have been able to do things about it and then in the end - we get a guilt complex. And again, in the end, we have to deal with that guilt, over and over, and over..........! Kinda like the death thing: Denial, Anger, etc. Do we all want justice or just plain old revenge - as I heard on GSC on a long ago thread: Karma. So, what emotion do you really want to wallow in, choose carefully, cause it will stick to you.
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DontWorryBeHappy
Ugh!
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Modgellan
UPDATE NOVEMBER 2015
Victor Barnard attempted suicide this week in the prison at Campo Grande in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. He was taken to the hospital under guard and was in ICU.
The original article (in Portuguese):
Cult leader in the US is in HRMS after attempting suicide in Federal Prison
The Google translated page:
Google Translation
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Modgellan
A few more details in this article
Campo Grand News (translated)
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Twinky
About time that PoS was extradited and tried in the US.
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WordWolf
I'm not getting G-Translate to play nice for me.
However, some English newspapers have picked up the story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cult-leader-victor-barnard-suicide-attempt_564f349ce4b0d4093a574903
http://www.fox9.com/news/51463995-story
http://www.startribune.com/pine-co-authorities-tracking-reports-of-suicide-attempt-by-cult-leader-victor-barnard/351783541/
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Allan
wooooooooowwww Wordwolf....all I can say is there would still be those in twi who would do similar as VB if they thought they could get away with it ...sick ba$tards
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Modgellan
(by the way, the original stories are in Portuguese)
Original link from correiodoestado.com.br
(translated text)
A former religious leader sentenced (charged) to 59 sex offenders in the United States, was discharged from the ICU of the Regional Hospital in Campo Grande. He will be taken to a ward and will continue to escort the Federal Police. Victor Arden Barnard, 60, is being held in the Federal Penitentiary of Campo Grande on Saturday (14) attempted suicide by hanging. He was admitted to the HR early Sunday morning (15) in serious condition and doctors came to see that he had a lack of oxygen framework in the brain.
Three days after being admitted to the ICU, he has improved and his health condition is stable, according to medical bulletin of the Regional Hospital. Because of the attempted hanging, Victor Barnard has a trauma to the larynx.
EDIT NOTE: Victor Barnard is 54 I am pretty sure, not 60 as the article says. His age reported in news articles there have always been a bit mixed up.
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Twinky
To do what he's (accused of) doing, he's been suffering from "a lack of oxygen framework in the brain" for a long time.
At least if his larynx is damaged, he can't sweet-talk (lie to) anyone else.
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Modgellan
It appears that the Federal Supreme Court in Brazil finally granted the US Marshal's extradition request on March 8th, 2016. At least that is how various online translators render this page to me:
(Summarized- short version) By unanimous decision (with one absent judge), the extradition is granted provided the courts in the US do not seek more than 30 years imprisonment.
Brazil Court Rulings
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