Son: Arrest of Cult Dad Like Betrayal of Jesus

DES MOINES, New Mexico May 12, 2008— -- The son of a cult leader who calls himself the messiah said the criminal complaint filed by a one-time follower charging him with sexual abuse of a minor is just like the betrayal of Jesus by a disciple.

And the cult leader, Wayne Bent, has noted on the group's Web site that he spent "three days and three nights" in jail, comparing it to the three days and three nights that Jesus was buried before the New Testament claims he rose from the dead.

Bent, who got out of jail on bond over the weekend, has returned to the cult's Strong City compound in a remote corner of New Mexico near the Colorado border. He has declined interviews.

Bent's son, Jeff, told ABC News that his father was innocent of charges that he had sexual contact with a minor and contributed to the delinquency of a minor. The charges prompted authorities to remove three teenagers from the compound.

Jeff Bent said his father did lay down naked with minor children, but said "he's never had sexual contact with minors at all, ever, he's been very careful to protect and respect people he's been with and who he's touched and healed."

He compared the practice of lying naked with teenagers as "something akin to a parent holding a child," and said it was something his father was ordered to do by God.

"This wasn't his natural desire to be involved in any of this. This was what God had him do," Jeff Bent said.

The son said what is happening to his father, who goes by the name Michael Travesser, is what happened to Jesus.

"These circumstances are the same as when the ministry of Jesus ended, Jesus was betrayed by a former disciple," he told ABC News.

"Jesus was betrayed by a former disciple. He was arraigned on false charges, he was buried. He was crucified and buried. And the district attorney has his own purpose to bury my dad. He wants to make a name for himself by burying a cult leader so he can be elected," Jeff Bent said.

While Wayne Bent has refused interviews, he posted a message on the group's Web site, StrongCity.info, after getting out of jail on Saturday.