Wayne Bent

Wayne Bent, also known as Michael Travesser, is the controversial leader and self-proclaimed Messiah of the Lord Our Righteousness Church, sometimes referred to as the Strong City Cult. Bent said in a National Geographic documentary: "I am the embodiment of God. I am divinity and humanity combined." Bent was accused of touching three girls under the age of 18 in 2006 and 2007; one of the girls was only twelve years old.

Bent was arrested on May 6, 2008 and charged with felony sex crimes against children. He was convicted on December 16, 2008, of one count of sexual contact with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. On December 30, 2008, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.Fox News: New Mexico Apocalyptic Sect Leader Gets 10 Years for Sex Scandal (December 30, 2008) Eight of those years were suspended.KRQE: Bent sentenced to 18 years (December 30, 2008)

Wayne Bent and his followers moved to Travesser Park, New Mexico, in the spring of 2000. In July of the same year Bent claims that he was sitting in his living room when God spoke to him saying "You are Messiah."

Bent claimed that as part of his being the Messiah he was told to sleep with seven virgins to mark the destruction of the earth. Two young girls first came to him, soon followed by five others, two of whom were underage. Bent said that God told the girls to come to him.

National Geographic documented the Lord Our Righteousness Church in a May 2008 segment. In the segment two young girls, Esther and Danielle, speak of "being naked and unashamed in front of God." In the segment, one of them cites a post from Bent wherein she gathered the meaning to be that she should lay naked in front of God, God being Wayne Bent. The girl said that she then entered Bent's bedroom where he "held her." She said she felt that all of heaven was open to her, since the "Son of God" was holding her.