'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story': Where is Larry Ray now? All you need to know about chilling Sarah Lawrence case
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story,' directed by Elisabeth Röhm, officially premiered on Lifetime on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' revolves around Larry Ray, who takes up residence in his daughter's dormitory and manipulates her friends.
Exploiting their insecurities, Ray promises these vulnerable students personal transformations through unsettling psychological tactics.
The official synopsis of the Lifetime film reads, "When con man Larry Ray moves into his daughter's dorm, he enthralls her friends while preying on their insecurities and fears. As the students get pulled deeper into his web of deceit, Ray's manipulation further alienates them from their families."
Let's discuss the real story of Ray and his current whereabouts.
Who is Larry Ray?
Lawrence 'Larry' Ray gained notoriety as the alleged leader of the Sarah Lawrence College 'sex cult.' U.S. Attorney Damian Williams described him in far more ominous terms, as reported by People.
Ray lived on Sarah Lawrence's campus with his daughter, Talia, in 2010 without the knowledge or permission of the college. He was reportedly diagnosed with histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders.
He was born in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. In the 1980s, Ray worked on Wall Street and later served as a consultant across various industries, including insurance, construction, and gambling.
Despite his extensive professional experience, Ray does not hold a college degree.
According to a report by The Cut, he served a total of 19 days in the United States Air Force. Additionally, he owned bars and nightclubs in New Jersey in the 1980s, including one called Club Malibu and JJ Rockers in Scotch Plains, as reported by The New York Times.
In 2004, his wife, Teresa Ray, took a significant step by filing for divorce from him, alleging that Ray had physically assaulted her.
According to The Cut, when the police arrived, Ray and his daughter Talia made a startling accusation against Teresa.
They claimed that Teresa had been abusing the children. As a result of this accusation, Ray was granted temporary custody of the girls.
Following a thorough investigation, authorities found no substantiation for the claims made by Ray and his daughter Talia against Teresa regarding the abuse of their children.
Additionally, a forensic examiner determined that Ray had coached his daughters on what to say to authorities, indicating a calculated effort to falsely accuse their mother of misconduct, as reported by People.
How did Larry Ray exert influence and control over students at Sarah Lawrence College?
In 2010, Larry Ray moved into his daughter Talia's dormitory at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York.
College authorities were unaware of Ray's presence and extended stay with his daughter, contributing to the clandestine nature of his actions at Sarah Lawrence College.
Ray's efforts to ingratiate himself with Talia's roommates and friends went beyond mere gestures of hospitality; he ordered and prepared elaborate meals for them.
Ray also engaged in deep and meaningful conversations with Talia's peers, ultimately increasing his influence over the group. He assumed the role of counselor for a group of students, among them siblings Santos, Yalitza, and Felicia Rosario.
He would give them gifts and listen to their stories, creating a sense of trust and camaraderie. Ray would also share his own stories, including claims of being a former member of the US Marine Corps with training in psychological operations.
According to People, while Felicia lived in Los Angeles, Santos and Yalitza eventually moved in with Ray into a one-bedroom apartment located in New York City's Upper East Side neighborhood in 2011.
Felicia stated that Ray began overwhelming her with gifts and affectionate messages. Simultaneously, he deprived her of sleep, leaving her vulnerable and more susceptible to his influence.
Taking advantage of her fatigue, Ray shared stories that frightened her, claiming that powerful individuals were targeting him. He claimed that these powerful individuals would also harm her because he knew her.
He asserted that he was the only protector she could rely on. Uncertain of her options, Felicia ultimately chose to move in with him in New York.
How did a group of Sarah Lawrence roommates end up in a sex cult?
After relocating to New York, Felicia learned a shocking truth about Ray. He reportedly coerced the female roommates into having sexual relations with him, as well as with strangers.
He would then record these encounters and use the footage to threaten the victims, threatening to post the videos online and send the files to their families if they did not comply with his demands.
When Felicia first met her siblings at his apartment, she was already aware that Ray had allegedly sexually abused female students.
Ray subjected the group of students from Sarah Lawrence College to a range of abusive tactics, including brainwashing and sex trafficking. He also forced them into manual labor, exploiting their vulnerability and manipulating them for his gain.
Ray asserted that these actions would help the students overcome previous childhood sexual trauma. However, Felicia stated that she had never been abused as a child.
Felicia told People, "He had me saying that my dad had prostituted me, and that I was sexually abused by him. All sorts of horrible things that just were not true."
These students became part of Ray's sex cult. Felicia told The Intelligencer, "When driving with Larry, at rest stops, he would kick me out of the car and lock me out until I found a trucker to have sex with me. It was horrifying then, and horrifying now.”
As time passed, members of the group began to leave, one by one. Some became disillusioned with his teachings, finding them increasingly extreme or disconnected from reality.
The majority of Ray's victims eventually managed to break free from his control. However, Felicia and another woman named Isabella Pollock were not as fortunate; they remained trapped in his clutches for a decade.
Despite their efforts to escape, Ray's manipulative tactics and psychological hold on them kept them ensnared in a harrowing cycle of abuse and control.
Ray's arrest came about after several students from the school reached out to New York Magazine. The magazine published a cover story titled 'The Stolen Kids of Sarah Lawrence,' which brought the situation to public attention and triggered an FBI investigation.
Felicia and Isabella were finally freed from Ray's grasp as a result of the FBI investigation.
What happened to Larry Ray?
After investigation and legal proceedings, Ray was convicted of 15 criminal counts, including charges of sex trafficking, extortion, and racketeering conspiracy.
He psychologically, physically, and sexually abused several students for nearly 10 years in three different states.
In 2022, he stood trial on federal charges of sex trafficking, extortion, conspiracy, and various other violent crimes. In January 2023, Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
According to BBC, New York judge Lewis J Liman called Ray's crimes "evil" and "particularly heinous".
He is currently serving his sentence in jail. His incarceration marks the end of a dark chapter, yet for his victims, the journey to healing and recovery continues.
How to stream 'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story'?
'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' is currently available for streaming on Lifetime.
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'Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story' trailer
At present, a trailer for the movie is not accessible. However, please stay tuned for additional updates.