UPDATED::NM Christian sect leader charged in abuse case | Albuquerque Journal

UPDATE::  Trial starts for militant religious sect leader over abuse

Testimony has begun in the trial for one of the leaders of a western New Mexico paramilitary religious sect accused of child sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said this week that former members of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps will testify against leader Deborah Green and detail allegations of child abuse, the Gallup Independent reports .

Prosecutor Brandon Vigil said the case involved an infant taken from Uganda who was mistreated throughout her life by Green and members of the isolated Pentecostal sect.

But defense attorney R. Don Lohbeck said the case is about former members who have vendettas against Green and an alleged victim who has changed her story over the years.

UPDATE::  2 Christian sect leaders face more charges in New Mexico 

Two leaders of a paramilitary religious sect with anti-Semitic leanings and rocked by child sexual abuse allegations are facing new charges.

Deborah and James Green, leaders of the Aggressive Christian Mission Training Corps in Western New Mexico, are facing new charges of tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, the Gallup Independent reported.

Those charges were added to the 18 filed against each of the Greens, alleging kidnapping and child abuse, among others. The new charges allege the Greens attempted to hide children after a raid of their commune by sheriff’s deputies, and both conspired with another person to commit tampering with evidence.

UPDATE:: Second sect leader accused of child abuse

Another leader of a New Mexico paramilitary religious sect rocked by child sexual abuse allegations was arrested Wednesday, making him the ninth member facing charges in connection with a widespread investigation.

James Green of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps was taken into custody Wednesday on charges of kidnapping, child abuse and tampering with evidence according to court records. He was ordered held on a $250,000 secured bond.

His arrest comes after authorities raided his secluded Western New Mexico compound last month. Other members and leaders are facing child abuse and child sexual abuse charges, including Green’s wife and co-leader, Deborah, who faces charges of kidnapping and child sexual abuse.

Authorities have accused James Green of taking part in a plot to bring over an infant child from Uganda to the United States in 1997 by using forged documents, court documents said. Authorities said James Green convinced his daughter, Sarah, to falsely say the child was hers to smuggle her into the U.S., documents said.

A leader of a New Mexico military-style Christian sect is facing dozens of child sexual abuse charges in a case that authorities say is connected to widespread abuse by the religious commune.

Peter Green of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps in the remote community of Fence Lake faces 100 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child, according to a criminal complaint filed August 15. Sect members Deborah Green, Joshua Green and Stacey Miller also face various charges ranging from child abuse, bribery and not reporting a birth.

KOAT-TV reported that all four were arrested Sunday. Sheriff Tony Mace told the station that his office began investigating the group last year after two members claimed they had escaped the commune in the sparsely populated area of mostly ranchland. Those who escaped told deputies that Deborah Green and Stacey Miller allowed Miller’s 12-year-old son to die of the flu in 2014, Mace said.

NM Christian sect leader charged in abuse case | Albuquerque Journal