Nxivm Founder Keith Raniere Sentenced to 120 Years in Prison

The founder and former leader of the company Nxivm was sentenced to 120 years in prison yesterday. 60-year-old Keith Raniere was a self-proclaimed guru who ran a self-help organization that was an alleged cover for a ‘sex cult’. Raniere’s criminal enterprise attracted many, including millionaires and actresses, who often paid “to endure humiliation and pledge obedience…to pursue perfection.” All the while, Raniere was recruiting young vulnerable women, grooming them, black mailing them, and turning them into “slaves”. It’s believed he also branded some of these girls with his initials. Raniere was convicted in 2019 on counts that include racketeering, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, human trafficking, forced labor and more. Over a dozen people gave victim impact statements at the sentencing, including a 15-year-old girl. The judge called his actions “cruel, perverse and extremely serious” as he handed down the life sentence. Raniere still maintains his innocence, saying he’s not remorseful because his victims are lying.