A man who ran what prosecutors described as a sex cult with the help of Smallville star Alison Mack has been found guilty of sex trafficking, possession of child pornography, extortion and racketeering.

Prosecutors said 58-year-old Keith Raniere used his self-help company NXIVM as cover for a sex cult that manipulated and brainwashed dozens of victims.

Five women, including Mack and Seagrams heiress Clare Bronfman, have pleaded guilty to assisting him run a secret society of “slaves” and “masters” called “DOS” or the “Vow.”

The court heard that Mack worshipped Raniere, referring to him in text messages as the “smartest man in the world.”

File photo of actress Allison Mack at the LA premiere of 'The Ant Bully,' 23-07-2006 | Image: Byron Purvis/AdMedia via ZUMA Wire

Throughout the seven-week trial, a number of women testified that he blackmailed dozens of women into joining the sex cult – convincing them to hand over embarrassing photographs and documents that were kept as collateral to keep them quiet about what was going on.

One woman testified that she was confined to a single room for two years after she said she was attracted to someone else.

Several of the women in the inner circle were also branded with the NXIVM symbol – which contains his initials.

The jury heard a taped recording of Raniere and Mack discussing how new members should be branded.

The actress described her own branding, with a member of the group asking her to about how the pain and sacrifice represented love for her “master.”

Mack broke down in tears as she gave evidence in the trial, insisting: “I was lost and I wanted to find a place, a community in which I would feel comfortable.”

She said she was “truly very sorry.”

In this file courtroom drawing Keith Raniere is seated between his attorneys, 07-05-2019. Image: Elizabeth Williams via AP, File

In closing arguments, prosecutors labelled Raniere a “con-man, a predator” and a “crime boss.”

The defence argued that his self-help teachings had benefitted thousands of people over the years and argued that all sexual contact was consensual.

The jury rejected he arguments and found him guilty this afternoon.

He faces the potential of life in prison and will be sentenced on September 25th.

Allison Mack and her other co-defendants are due to be sentenced later this year.
The actress faces up to 20 years in prison.