American actress Allison Mack has been released from prison ahead of schedule after serving a two-year sentence for her involvement in a sex-trafficking case linked to a cult-like organization.
Mack, known for her role in the TV series Smallville, pleaded guilty in April 2019 to charges of racketeering and conspiracy. She was charged for her role in recruiting women into the Nxivm sex cult.
Originally sentenced to three years in prison, Mack has been released early, as confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Monday.
The group known as Nxivm, pronounced “nexium,” began as a self-help program in 1998.
It claimed to have worked with thousands of individuals, including influential figures such as the son of a former Mexican president and Hollywood actresses like Mack.
According to prosecutors, Mack played a crucial role in recruiting and grooming women to become sexual partners for the group’s leader, Keith Raniere.
Despite Raniere being the group’s sole male leader, Mack held a prominent position as one of his top female deputies.
Allegations surfaced that female recruits were branded with Raniere’s initials and coerced into engaging in sexual activities with him in exchange for joining the organization, which was headquartered in Albany, New York.
The news of Mack’s release was first reported by the Albany Times Union, a New York newspaper.
Originally facing a potential sentence of up to 17 years, Mack’s cooperation with prosecutors in providing evidence against Raniere resulted in a reduced sentence.
In 2020, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison for multiple crimes, including the coercion of women into being his sexual “slaves.”
Before her sentencing, Mack expressed remorse for her actions and offered apologies to those she believed were harmed by her involvement with the group.
She referred to her association with Nxivm as “the biggest mistake and regret” of her life and acknowledged the emotionally abusive nature of the organization led by a twisted individual.
