Children Seized From New Mexico Compound

SANTA FE (AP) - State police have arrested the leader of an
apocalyptic church in northeastern New Mexico.
A spokesman says Wayne Bent was arrested today on three charges
of criminal sexual contact.
The spokesman says Bent was picked up without incident at the
remote former ranch where Bent and his followers live.
Bent, who goes by the name of Michael Travesser, claims to be
the Messiah. He has acknowledged having sex with his followers, but
there was no immediate information from state police on who the
alleged victims are.
The state Children, Youth and Families Department recently
removed two girls and a boy, all under age 18, from the compound.
The agency says there had been allegations of inappropriate
contact between Bent and minors at the compound.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)