Carbon Nation Cult Leader Denied Bond

Eligio Bishop Accused of Rape and Imprisonment, says he's Christ Reincarnate

Eligio Bishop, also known as "Nature Boy," appeared before a DeKalb County judge Friday, May 6.

Author: 11Alive Staff - DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. An alleged cult leader accused of rape will remain in jail after a judge denied him bond.

Eligio Bishop, also known as "Nature Boy," appeared before a DeKalb County judge Friday, May 6.

During the proceedings, prosecutors released new, disturbing video of Bishop and other alleged cult members. Prosecutors argued that the 40-year-old is a danger to the community and could potentially intimidate a witness.

Former members of the cult, including Bishop's former wife, said they suffered from mental and verbal abuse under Bishop. 

Bishop's cult reportedly began as one centered around sexual and naturalist themes, though social media accounts indicate more recently it has reoriented around Bishop's own messianic self-image and Black liberation messaging.

When he was arrested at an upscale cul-de-sac outside Decatur, SWAT team members converged on the home and broke down a door and first encountered several of his followers, including a child.

There were 14 other people in the house when Bishop was arrested on April 14.

According to DeKalb County Jail records, Bishop faces five charges: rape, false imprisonment, and three counts of "prohibition on nude or sexually explicit electronic transmissions" — under Georgia law, a violation of sending nude or explicit communications of someone "without the consent of the depicted person." (revenge porn).

Multiple subjects could be seen moving around inside the target location as verbal announcements were made however they refused to come to the door. They advised to breach the side 3 door and the door was breached open (causing damage to both the door and frame) and members of the S.W.A.T. team moved into the residence.

At that point, the members were taken to DeKalb's Criminal Investigation Division "to be interviewed and to give them the opportunity to leave the residence if they so desired."

It's not clear if any chose to leave the cult after meeting with police, though several have continued to support Bishop in public.

The leader has only a dozen or so members and tens of thousands of online followers. The report states: posts are heavy on the number 3 and ancient Egyptian iconography, with Bishop referred to as "Th3 3God" in the accounts. His videos and sermons portray him as a God-like figure, and he said in one message after his arrest: "They want to crucify me, they want me dead, there's hate that surrounds me, you can feel it, just like any other prophet — only me, I'm the return of the Christ."

Source: 11 Alive.com
Photo: Fox5Atlanta

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