DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Eligio Bishop, infamously known as "Natureboy," spoke during his 2022 interview with detectives and two victims took the stand on Monday as the alleged cult leader faces trial.
Bishop, the leader of the "Carbon Nation" group, was arrested in April as he faces rape and false imprisonment charges after allegedly posting revenge porn.
“Women weren’t allowed to wear shirts so we started wearing leaves. Women had to have sex with Natureboy -- it was force," said one of the victims.
The victims -- who were former members of the cult -- testified Bishop cut off their contact with the outside world and controlled his members.
"He considers himself to be god. He went from 'I’m your higher self' to master teacher to god. He believes he is the end all be all -- the alpha and omega," the victim continued.
RELATED: 'I'm the return of Christ' | Alleged cult leader arrested on charges including rape in DeKalb County
In an interview with detectives from 2022 that was played in the courtroom, Bishop told detectives that he was acting and claims any sex with him was consensual.
“Raping who? I wouldn't rape anyone. I have all of these women. Why would I rape someone? I have five women. Why would I rape a girl? I’m a lady’s man," he argued in his interview with police.
Another victim, who took the stand, said she joined the group in 2017. She testified at first things were going well until Bishop would allegedly make members hit others.
"I had just witnessed the women jumping another woman, in the moment I feel like I was shut down," she said. "All the women were put in a situation we were separated from the men and we had to become his wives."
This victim also testified she was punished for breaking Bishop’s rules.
"He wanted us to approach him a certain way by calling him 'my king.' There was a time I was called in a room and didn’t address him that way and I was made to do squats -- he made his wife leave the room and that led to him raping me," she said.
Another victim claimed Bishop posted revenge porn of her.
"After I left, Nature Boy started leaking videos of me that I didn’t want out there,” she said.
Trial proceedings will resume Thursday, Feb. 29 after the judge paused proceedings due to a positive COVID case.
Latest developments in the case
- Early June 2023: Judge denies bond for Bishop again. The judge also denied his motion to file an "out-of-time demand" for a speedy trial as it had yet been a year since his indictment.
"The Court asks the State to work hastily to prepare this case for trial, as the Court intends to bring this case to trial as soon as practicable." - June 29, 2023: Pre-trial hearing
- July 27, 2023: Another motion on Bishop's behalf to withdraw his attorney.
- Nov. 3, 2023: Trial date set for Feb. 2024 during a motions hearing. The bond was denied again.
- Feb. 21, 2024: The trial began with a motions hearing and jury selection.
- Feb. 22, 2024: Opening statements heard in the case and the first witness takes the stand.
- Feb. 23, 2024: Cult expert and other victims take the stand against the alleged cult leader.
- Feb. 26, 2024: 2022 interview with police is played in the court. Two more victims take the stand against Bishop.
- Feb. 28, 2024: Court expected to resume.