Judge sets $5 million bond for leader of paramilitary Christian sect

A judge has ordered that a leader of a New Mexico paramilitary Christian sect who is facing child sex abuse charges be held on $5 million secured bond.

Cibola County Magistrate Court Judge Larry Diaz set bond Tuesday for Peter Green following a raid of the armed compound of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps.

Peter Green, also known as Mike Brandon, faces 100 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child on suspicion of raping a girl from the time she was 7.

Sect co-leader Deborah Green, who also is facing child sex abuse charges, was ordered held on a $500,000 secured bond. Deborah Green was arrested on charges ranging from failure to report a birth to child abuse and sexual penetration of a minor.

The group, founded in California, says the allegations are “totally false.” James Green is strongly denying his wife and other members hurt children, telling KOAT-TV of Albuquerque the allegations were a surprise.

Cibola County Magistrate Court Judge Larry Diaz set bond Tuesday following a Sunday raid of the group’s armed compound in remote Fence Lake, New Mexico.

James Green told the Gallup Independent the raid was a “brutal attack” during church services as around three dozen deputies descended on the compound in tactical gear, assault weapons, and a flash bomb.

Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace says authorities wanted to surprise sect leaders and were worried members might try to prevent arrests.