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The Associated Press
Minneapolis

Self-professed minister now on Most Wanted list

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Victor Barnard
The Washington State Patrol's Criminal Investigation Division has been assisting Minnesota's Pine County Sheriff's Office in attempts to locate a subject charged with 59 felony counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct involving two young females. On April 11, the Pine County Attorney's Office issued a criminal complaint against Victor Barnard. The charges result from a multi-year investigation by the Pine County Sheriff's Office into Barnard's behavior while he was ministering to a religious group in Northern Pine County.
Courtesy Washington State Patrol

The U.S. Marshals Service has added a self-professed minister accused of sexually abusing young girls in rural Minnesota to its 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Fifty-three-year-old Victor Barnard is charged with 59 counts of criminal sexual conduct involving two members of a "Maidens Group" within a church he led called the River Road Fellowship.

The U.S. Marshals joined the search for Barnard after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

In 2000, Barnard set up what he called the "Shepherd's Camp" on land where girls and young women lived as part of his "Maidens Group."

After some adult members began questioning his activities, Barnard moved his family and the church to Washington state.

Authorities believe Barnard may have left the country, since he has strong ties to Spain.