Larry Ray, the Leader of the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult

In 2010, a charismatic and manipulative man named Lawrence “Larry” Ray moved into his daughter’s dorm at Sarah Lawrence College, a prestigious liberal arts school in New York. What followed was a disturbing decade-long story of psychological manipulation, abuse, extortion, and sex trafficking—one that would ultimately land Ray behind bars. His crimes shattered the lives of the young students who fell under his influence and exposed the terrifying ways a single person can exert complete control over others.

A Charismatic Manipulator Moves In

Larry Ray was no ordinary father. He had a history of con artistry, fraud, and connections to powerful figures, including law enforcement and politicians. In the late 1990s, he was convicted of securities fraud and became a cooperating witness in federal cases. But by the time his daughter was a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence, Ray was a man with no job and no clear direction—except one: total control.

Under the guise of being a caring and worldly father figure, Ray moved into his daughter Talia’s on-campus housing. He quickly embedded himself into the lives of her friends, offering them advice, support, and an open-door policy at the off-campus apartment where he later relocated. He cooked meals for them, listened to their problems, and told grandiose stories of his past, portraying himself as a powerful man with connections in the intelligence world.

The Cult Takes Shape

What seemed like an unusual but harmless living arrangement soon spiraled into something much darker. Ray employed classic cult leader tactics: he isolated the students from their families, sowed paranoia by convincing them their loved ones were out to get them, and gained their trust by presenting himself as a mentor and protector.

He began subjecting them to grueling interrogation sessions under the pretense of “helping” them uncover the ways they had been sabotaging their own lives. These sessions could last for hours, leaving students emotionally wrecked and vulnerable. He accused them of betraying him, of harming him in ways they didn’t understand, and of being in debt to him.

To make matters worse, Ray physically abused some of his victims, starving them, forcing them to perform labor, and subjecting them to sleep deprivation. He convinced them they owed him money for damages they had supposedly caused, racking up fictitious debts that would lead to extortion and trafficking.

Sexual Exploitation and Extortion

One of the most harrowing aspects of Ray’s manipulation was the sexual abuse he inflicted on some of his followers, particularly Claudia Drury. Ray forced Drury into sex work, making her believe she needed to pay off the astronomical debts he claimed she owed him. Over time, she was made to hand over millions of dollars in earnings, all of which went straight to Ray.

The control he had over her was so complete that even as she worked night after night in hotels across the country, she was convinced she was repaying a debt rather than being trafficked. Ray also coerced others into sexual situations, using shame, guilt, and violence as tools of control.

The Turning Point: A Survivor Breaks Free

After nearly a decade of abuse, Ray’s victims began breaking free. In 2019, The New York Magazine published an explosive exposé detailing the horrors he had inflicted upon Sarah Lawrence students. The article, titled The Stolen Kids of Sarah Lawrence, was based on extensive interviews with survivors, and it revealed the full extent of Ray’s control, manipulation, and violence.

The report caught the attention of law enforcement, and in 2020, Ray was arrested. His trial painted a damning picture of his crimes, with survivor testimonies highlighting the terror he instilled in his victims.

Justice is Served

In January 2023, Larry Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison for extortion, sex trafficking, forced labor, and other crimes. The judge made it clear that Ray’s actions were among the most heinous seen in a court of law, and his sentence ensured that he would never be able to hurt another person again.

For the survivors, the legal victory was significant, but the damage Ray inflicted could never be fully undone. Many of his victims are still recovering from the psychological scars of his manipulation, struggling to rebuild their lives after years of abuse.

A Stark Warning

The Larry Ray case serves as a chilling reminder of how easily manipulation can turn into abuse, and how even intelligent, accomplished young people can fall victim to coercion. It underscores the importance of recognizing the warning signs of psychological control and speaking out when something doesn’t seem right.

Ray’s reign of terror may be over, but his victims will carry the weight of his crimes for a lifetime. Their bravery in coming forward not only brought him to justice but also shed light on the dark, insidious nature of coercive control—a lesson society cannot afford to ignore.

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