Raton, New Mexico - The trial of a northeast New Mexico cult leader accused of criminal sexual contact with two of his female teen-age followers will take place in Taos County.
A judge last week agreed with the defense that an impartial jury cannot be assembled in Union County where Wayne Bent and the members of The Lord Our Righteousness Church live on their private compound about 30 miles northeast of Des Moines.
District Judge Gerald Baca of Las Vegas granted the change of venue motion Thursday. Baca also ordered Bent to be arrested for his failure to show up at the hearing. Bent was later arrested at his compound.
