But he claimed he was only helping his followers reach personal fulfillment by breaking down emotional barriers. They found Keith Raniere, the leader of the cultlike group near Albany known as Nxivm, guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, ending a six-week trial that exposed the sordid inner workings of the organization.
The jury deliberated less than half a day before finding Mr. Raniere, 58, guilty of all seven counts against him. The defendant, wearing a maroon sweater with dark brown elbow patches, was impassive as the verdict was read. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on Sept.
In the gallery, several former Nxivm members and their supporters listened and craned their necks to peer at Mr. Raniere as the verdict was read. Catherine Oxenberg, an actress whose daughter India had been in the group, leaned forward and hugged herself. Minutes later, Ms. Oxenberg thanked federal investigators. Outside the courthouse, elated ex-Nxivm members celebrated and cheered Richard P. Donoghue, the United States attorney in Brooklyn, as he addressed reporters.
Donoghue said. One of Mr. Much of the trial focused on a secret sorority within Nxivm called The Vow or D. As proof of their commitment to his teachings, the women handed over nude photographs and signed letters containing embarrassing secrets, which were then used to compel them to follow orders, prosecutors said. Agnifilo countered by telling jurors that although Mr. Agnifilo said. Raniere was convicted of a raft of crimes including, racketeering, sex trafficking, conspiracy, forced labor, identity theft, sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.
Five women with senior roles in the group, including Ms. Mack and Ms. Bronfman, pleaded guilty to various crimes before trial. Beyond exploiting women for sex, prosecutors said, Mr.
