Cybercrime experts working for convicted sex trafficker Keith Raniere claim that key evidence used in his trial was manipulated and planted while in FBI custody, according to recently filed court documents. Raniere, the 64-year-old founder of the NXIVM organization, is currently serving a 120-year sentence for crimes including racketeering, sex trafficking, and sex trafficking conspiracy.

The defense alleges that the timestamps on dozens of photographs found on a memory card and hard drive were altered to falsely portray a young woman as being underage at the time the photos were taken. They further claim that new photos mysteriously appeared on the FBI's forensic report between April and June 2019. Raniere's lead attorney, Joseph Tully, asserts this doctored evidence was central to the child pornography and exploitation charges, which he calls "provably" fabricated. He insists a hearing would expose this alleged tampering.

Constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz, while not officially on Raniere's legal team, has consulted with his attorneys. Dershowitz expressed concern that if these allegations are true, this represents a severe instance of governmental misconduct with potentially far-reaching implications for other cases. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, comparing it to practices seen in authoritarian regimes.

Dershowitz highlighted the late introduction of the child-related charges, which he believes significantly swayed the jury and pressured other defendants to accept plea deals. He argues that the prosecution's case was weak until these photographs surfaced.

Defense experts maintain the photographs were taken when the woman was of legal age and subsequently manipulated. They are urging the court to grant a new trial, alleging the government knowingly used this falsified evidence to secure a conviction.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office have not yet responded to these allegations. Tully suggests Raniere's affluent adversaries and general unpopularity might have motivated the alleged framing. The defense's request for a hearing remains pending.

Dr. Richard Kiper, a former FBI agent and cybersecurity expert, submitted a detailed affidavit outlining the alleged evidence manipulation. He claims to have identified multiple intentional alterations to the digital data, which he believes constitute evidence tampering. Kiper emphasizes that in his two decades with the FBI, he has never encountered such behavior.

Raniere, who portrayed himself as a self-help guru, attracted a following that included high-profile individuals like actress Allison Mack and Seagram's heiress Clare Bronfman, both of whom were convicted on related charges. Critics have labeled NXIVM a cult involved in sex trafficking and abuse. The alleged sexual relationship Raniere had with a 15-year-old girl was a central element in the case against him.