 EFL: Pyramids, obelisks and a lonely sphinx stand deserted on the Egyptian-themed compound where as many as 500 members of a quasi-religious sect lived only five years ago.The United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors has gone quiet since its leader, Malachi York, was sentenced to 135 years in federal prison in April for molesting 14 boys and girls whose parents were members of his group. | That seems to be a recurrent theme among cult leaders. |
The federal government has seized the Nuwaubians' 476-acre farm in this middle Georgia town and the group's members have dispersed. At their height, the Nuwaubians brought 5,000 people to Eatonton for Savior's Day to celebrate York's birthday. In 1999, as many as 500 people lived on the compound, practicing York's malleable religion that shifted from Islamic roots to Judaism, Christianity and Egyptian mysticism, with members at times dressing as cowboys and American Indians. At one time, York even incorporated space aliens into his teachings, claiming that he was an extraterrestrial from the planet "Rizq." | That should have been the tipoff right there, everyone knows Rizqien's are atheist's. |
Some Nuwaubians carry on. Their flashy Web site is still active, and they still operate a small bookstore in Atlanta that sells various literature, including York's writings.' "Everybody is still working together and moving forward," said Adrian Patrick, York's attorney. "People are trying to fit the organization into this traditional hierarchy, but that's simply not the case. You can't destroy the organization by having the head incarcerated." A neighbor who lives near the compound said he thinks York was targeted by white authorities with an agenda against the mostly black Nuwaubians, who now call themselves The Yamassee Native Americans of the Creek Nation. | Looking to open a casino, are they? |
"In the old days, they would have hanged him," neighbor Bobby Walker said. "But today, they hung a charge on him he couldn't fight. ... This man bucked the power structure of Putnam County, and he should've known better." | "He fought the law and the law won" |
York, 58, was convicted by a jury in January of 10 counts of child molestation and racketeering. Prosecutors said he used the cult for his sexual pleasure and financial gain, including recruiting members to groom children for sex with him. The woman who authorities say was York's "main wife," 35-year-old Kathy Johnson, pleaded guilty to seven counts of child molestation and was sentenced to two years in prison. She allegedly videotaped York engaging in sexual activity with the minors.York, who is serving his sentence in the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., plans to appeal his conviction to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, his attorney said. York has argued that he is of American Indian heritage and should not be judged by the U.S. court system. |