California cult ‘prophet’ learns fate for vile sex crimes — and the loophole that could set him free early

A Northern California cult “prophet” has been sentenced to life behind bars for molesting four young girls and raping two of his female adult followers, but a loophole in state law could set him go free much earlier.

The Oroville cult leader Sansue Bee Vang was sentenced to 225 years to life after being found guilty of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape, according to the Butte County District Attorney’s office. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

Vang is the founder and leader of the Hmong religious organization called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which loosely translated means “Belief in Mother.”

In 2020 he built his temple and community in the town at the base of North Table Mountain, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

The cult leader, with connections to Wisconsin and Fresno, recruited families from both locations along with North Carolina and Minnesota to establish his religious community.

The DA shared horrific details at trial about what Vang did to his female followers, young and old.

Vang molested multiple girls in the cult, ages 6 to 12. One girl, who was sexually assaulted on five separate occasions, testified that the cult leader “threatened to beat her if she disclosed the repeated molestations.”

Three other girls testified Vang repeatedly touched them and told them he would marry them one day, per the DA.

The DA said on two separate occasions, Vang forcibly raped one of his female followers and then threatened the woman violence to her and her family if she spoke about the assaults.

Another woman who was raped by the cult leader, said Vang told her he could see horrible things happening to her family and their entire community if she refused to have sex with him.

“At the time of the rape, the woman was only about 19- 20 years old and truly believed Vang’s teachings,” the DA said.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey has warned due to Vang’s age, the leader will be free in 20 years, if the state’s current “elder parole” law exists. 

The law allows violent inmates to seek early release at just 50 years old if they have served at least 20 years behind bars, leaving victims across the state pleading with officials to keep their attackers in prison.

Notorious pedophile David Allen Funston, recently had new charges dropped against him hours before he was due to be released thanks to the state’s elder parole law.

Funston, 67, was sentenced to 20 years in prison plus three consecutive life terms for kidnapping and child molestation involving several children younger than seven in the Sacramento region. He admitted to pedophilic fantasies as recently as 2021, according to KCRA. 

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Because of California’s elder parole program the Board of Parole authorized his early release from prison. He remains in custody after Placer County prosecutors filed new charges before he could walk free.

Gregory Lee Vogelsang, a 57-year-old Sacramento-area child molester, was sentenced to 355 years to life for kidnapping and molesting five boys. He was granted parole in late 2025 before the parole board later agreed to reconsider the release.

California Democrats recently confirmed the reappointment of five parole board commissioners backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite fiery objections from Republicans, who accused colleagues of putting violent criminals — including convicted child sex predators — ahead of victims and public safety.

Republican legislators focused the confirmation fight on several high-profile parole cases involving inmates convicted of child molestation, kidnapping and sexual assault, including Funston, and Vogelsang.