DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The trial for an alleged cult leader facing multiple charges, including rape and false imprisonment, is underway in DeKalb County.
Eligio Bishop, 40, known as "Natureboy," remains in the DeKalb County Jail without bond following his April 2022 arrest. Prosecutors accuse Bishop of leading a cult called the "Carbon Nation" group.
A former member of the cult, who identified herself as his girlfriend, said he posted revenge porn "because she left him." Police reports detailed that the woman told authorities that "she had joined a sex cult in which her boyfriend is the leader" and that "she did live together with Mr. Bishop, and he has posted sexually explicit videos of her and him without her consent on Twitter (now the social media platform X)."
In July 2022, a grand jury indicted Bishop on rape, false imprisonment and three counts of prohibition on nude or sexually explicit electronic transmissions.
Thursday was an emotional day in court as the jury heard opening statements and testimony from the victim.
"I wasn't able to go. I felt like I couldn’t. I felt powerless, and he kept telling me he wanted to just do it one more time, one more," she said tearfully.
From the stand, the victim explained the power she said Bishop had over the members of the cult.
"I was basically his disciple, and then he would make me his lover and take me and become his wife," she said.
DeKalb County prosecutors described Bishop as a power-hungry cult leader who abused his members on Thursday. However, the defense claimed the sex and the videos were consensual and that she was able to leave.
The victim claimed there were many rules in the cult and punishments for those who broke the rules.
"When you disrespect .... you would either go in the corner or do squats or be reprimanded or shunned," she said.
According to The Costa Rica Star newspaper, the group's history includes being thrown out of at least three Central American countries. The newspaper reported the cult believes in nudism, polygamy and refraining from bathing.
Bishop also had a huge following of tens of thousands of followers on Instagram and YouTube accounts that referred to him as "Th3 3God" and projected his messianic self-image.
In court, the victim admitted she was a member of the cult three different times, and as she was leaving for the final time, she told him no to sex repeatedly before finally saying OK. The prosecution also played clips of the sexually explicit videos that were posted on Bishop's site.
The trial will resume Friday at 9 a.m.
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.