OROVILLE, Calif. (TCN) — A 58-year-old man has been sentenced to 225 years behind bars after being found guilty of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape.
The Butte County District Attorney announced the sentencing of Sansue Bee Vang on June 9. The investigation into Vang began in 2024 after an 11-year-old girl and her mother disclosed being sexually abused. Four additional victims came forward over the course of the investigation.
KRCR reports that according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, the case involved more victims who were afraid to testify.
Vang founded, created, and led a Hmong religious organization called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which translates loosely to “Belief in the Mother.”
He started the organization in Wisconsin. Once he had gained a following, he moved to Fresno, California, and finally to Oroville, California. He personally chose several families to move with him to Oroville to build a temple and religious community, per the DA.
SFGate reports that the Hmong are an ethnic minority group from Southeast Asia and there is a large Hmong population in California.
Vang’s followers saw him as a prophet. He created all the songs, materials, and readings used in the organization, and all his victims were members when he abused them.
According to the DA, he threatened to beat a child if she told anyone about the abuse, and he also threatened the life of a woman he raped at her home if she spoke out about what had occurred. Another victim testified at trial that Vang told her terrible things would happen to her family and the Hmong community if she did not have sex with him.
Before the sentencing, the judge heard impact statements from five victims, according to the DA. All detailed the negative impact that Vang’s actions had on their lives.
According to KRCR, Vang did not speak, but his attorneys argued the victims misunderstood Vang’s actions or were lying about what had occurred.
SFGate reports that California’s Elderly Parole Program means Vang could be eligible for release in about 20 years. Under the program, inmates who are at least 50 can appear before the parole board if they have served at least 20 years. If paroled under this program, Vang could potentially be eligible for release at age 78.
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