OROVILLE, Calif. (WTAQ-WLUK) — A religious leader with ties to the Fox Valley has been charged with sexual assault in California.
Sansue Bee Vang, 56, is charged with two counts of forcible rape against an adult female. He is also charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious conduct and one count of forcible digital penetration with a child under 14.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey says that Vang is the founder, creator, and leader of a religious organization now based in Oroville, California, called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum. Vang started the organization in Appleton and after amassing a following there, moved to Fresno, California, in 2015. In 2020, Vang selected families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Fresno to move to Oroville to build a temple and religious community at the base of Table Mountain.
A 31-year-old female came forward to sheriff’s sexual assault detectives last month and disclosed Vang had forcibly raped her on two occasions. The sexual assaults occurred in October 2022 and May 2023. The woman told detectives she hesitated to come forward to law enforcement due to threats Vang made after the assaults.
An 11-year-old female also reported Vang had sexually molested her on at least five different occasions over approximately two years. She told investigators Vang threatened he would beat her if she disclosed the repeated molestations.
Ramsey noted police records show Vang was acquitted of a misdemeanor sexual assault charge in Appleton in 2013.
Vang entered not guilty pleas and the case has been set for April 4, at 8:30 a.m. to set a preliminary hearing date.
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