ActressAllison Mack— who pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from her instrumental role in theNxivmsex cult — has been released from prison early, according to federal records.
TheFederal Bureau of Prisons websiteshows that Mack, 40, was released from prison on Monday. She had been serving time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, where other prominent actresses likeLori LoughlinandFelicity Huffmanserved their sentences for their role in the college admissions scandal.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons told PEOPLE in a statement Wednesday that Mack was released from custody viaFirst Step Act(FSA) release — aDonald Trump-era law in which federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of “good conduct” credit for every year of their imposed sentence.
The agency also noted that inmates may release up to 12 months early if they complete the BOP’s Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), or via court order due to old age and medical conditions or clemency.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Mack wassentenced to three years in prisonafter she pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering and conspiracy for her role as a prominent leader withinNxivm, the dismantled,Keith Raniere-led self-help group some have characterized as a cult.
She faced a maximum of 40 years behind bars, thoughfederal sentencing guidelinesrecommended a lower punishment of 14 to 17½ years.
However, prosecutors wrote to request Mack receive a lesser sentence than the guidelines called for, noting that she had “provided substantial assistance to the government” in its prosecution of her co-defendants.
Allison Mack attends court in NXIVM case on May 4, 2018, in New York City.Alberto Reyes/Shutterstock
Mack was first arrested on April 20, 2018, and wasaccused of recruiting sex slaves for Raniere, who co-founded the controversial self-help group Nxivm and its subgroup, DOS — described as an all-female secret society in which women allegedly were forced to be sexually subservient to Raniere.
Mack was among six people accused of sex trafficking, forced labor, racketeering, wire fraud and other charges for their roles inNxivm, which operated out of Albany, New York, but suspended operations in 2018.
Federal investigators claimed Mack brought women into DOS, which was purported to be a female mentorship group to address members' weaknesses, but instead was used to take advantage of women sexually.
Allison Mack (L) and alleged NXIVM leader Keith Raniere.Matt Baron/BEI/REX/Shutterstock
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Raniere, 62, was alsosentenced to 120 yearsin prison following his conviction on federal sex crimes and other charges in October 2020.
The Nxivm case firstgained public attention in 2012with a report in theTimes Union.It went on to become the subject of scrutiny from law enforcement and journalists after it came under fire fromDynastyactressCatherine Oxenberg, whose estranged daughter,India, joined the group in 2011.
source: people.com
