NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere could be facing a trial closer to home.

On Thursday, the Eastern District of New York dismissed charges of possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child against Raniere.

Those counts were dropped not because they didn’t allegedly happen or because there’s no evidence to prove them, but because those acts are said to have happened in the Capital Region.

That means the Northern District of New York in Albany would have to charge him. Prosecutors from that district court are in contact with those in Brooklyn.

 

Raniere and actress Allison Mack still face charges of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, forced labor conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and attempted sex trafficking.

A trial in Brooklyn is still scheduled for April 29 and jury selection begins in the next few days, so if Raniere is charged by the Northern District, he could be facing another trial just miles from where his headquarters still is.

Another charge of conspiracy to commit identity theft against Raniere and Seagram's Heiress Clare Bronfman has also been dismissed for similar circumstances.  Bronfman is also charged with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.

Lauren Salzman has now pleaded guilty to two counts — racketeering conspiracy and racketeering — in Brooklyn Federal Court. Lauren had also been charged with forced labor conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. The status of those charges is still unclear.

Her mother, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, already pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge several weeks ago.

According to court documents, it is believed Mack and NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell are engaging in plea negotiations with the government.