Keith Raniere, the imprisoned sex cult leader, faced a legal setback when a federal judge denied his request for a preliminary injunction to prevent his transfer to a high-security Indiana penitentiary, RadarOnline.com exclusively reports. Raniere had sought the injunction to prevent federal authorities from allegedly denying him access to his legal team and transferring him to the Communications Management Unit (CMU) – nicknamed 'Guantanamo North' due to its roster of killers and terrorists.

However, Judge Raner C. Collins of Arizona’s U.S. District Court rejected the motion, stating that Raniere "fails to produce evidence to show a likelihood of success on the merits of his claim or that he faces a likelihood of irreparable harm absent preliminary injunctive relief."

Raniere sued U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the U.S. Bureau of Prison in May 2022, accusing prison officials of violating his rights by preventing him from communicating with his lawyers and a longtime supporter. He claimed that prison officials retaliated against him following his complaints.

The 62-year-old filed the claim nearly a year into his 120-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, child pornography, forced labor conspiracy, wire fraud, and racketeering during his time as the leader of NXIVM, which involved branding female victims. The group portrayed itself as a "community guided by humanitarian principles that seek to empower people," with Raniere convincing young women, including actress Allison Mack, to join and obey his every command.

Raniere argued that prison officials obstructed his communication with his nine attorneys and longtime supporter Suneel Chakravorty, who purportedly acts with his power of attorney and serves as an "agent" for the legal team. However, the judge noted that Raniere's legal complaints admit he has "confidential access" to counsel.

Judge Collins wrote in his ruling, "Instead, (Raniere) once again relies solely on Defendants' restrictions on his communication with Mr. Chakravorty to establish his claim when, as noted, he has not shown that Mr. Chakravorty, who is not a licensed attorney or paralegal, was acting on behalf of and under the supervision of a licensed attorney when the Defendants denied him visitation."

Raniere previously claimed that prison officials retaliated against him by placing him in a jail cell with a "known hermaphrodite" who threatened to kill sex offenders like him, according to his handwritten affidavit seeking the injunction. He also lamented being forced to eat lunch in a prison cell with feces on the walls and spending months in solitary confinement after another inmate assaulted him, alleging that prison officials misplaced the paperwork.

Raniere expressed concerns about facing a similar deadly fate as Jeffrey Epstein and Boston mob boss Whitey Bulger if transferred to the notorious CMU, known for its close monitoring of inmate mail and visits. "I am in imminent danger I am being silenced," he said about CMU, which houses notorious killers and terrorists.

The cult operated for years before victims began speaking out about Raniere's abuse, accusing him of forcing them to have sex with him and branding them with his initials. As part of his conviction, Raniere was ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution to 21 victims but continues to maintain his innocence.