The leader of a secretive group in upstate New York who allegedly coerced female followers into having sex with him and getting branded with his initials has appeared in federal court in Texas. Sporting a blue T-shirt, close-cropped grey beard, dark-rimmed glasses and chains, Keith Raniere waived his right to an identification hearing during Tuesday's court appearance in Fort Worth. Last fall, Vancouver actress Sarah Edmondson told CBC News that she inadvertently helped recruit other Vancouver women to the group, and eventually travelled to Albany, N.Y., where she underwent a harrowing flesh branding on her abdomen. Sarah Edmondson shows the scar she says was left after she participated in a branding ceremony at a private residence near Clifton Park, New York with a small group of other women. Laura Vega, a spokeswoman for the agency, says Raniere will be moved sometime in the next two weeks.

Source: CBC News March 27, 2018 21:45 UTC