India Oxenberg, who became close to NXIVM insider and former actress Allison Mack before leaving the so-called sex-trafficking cult, said in an interview Wednesday that she hopes Mack's three-year prison sentence sets a precedent in similar cases.

Mack, 38, became the third person associated with NXIVM to be sentenced to jail on Wednesday, when a federal judge in Brooklyn ordered her to surrender by late September and pay a $20,000 fine for her role in NXIVM.

“I think that’s a big statement and I think it should really scare people, but in a good way, scare those who need to be afraid,” says Oxenberg.

Mack had pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges, and had been under house arrest in California since her arrest in April 2018.

Oxenberg did not make the trip to Brooklyn on Wednesday, but spoke after the sentencing in an interview over Zoom.

Oxenberg became close friends with Mack while in NXIVM and was recruited by her to join DOS, a secret NXIVM sub-group named after a Latin phrase loosely translated as “master over the slave woman.”

That’s where she says she was forced to take naked photographs, get branded and have a sexual relationship with NXIVM leader Keith Raniere. Oxenberg says she even recruited other members at Mack’s request. She ultimately left the group after Mack was arrested.

Interestingly, Oxenberg is one of eight victims who received an apology letter from Mack. The judge says she was given special permission to send them.

Oxenberg said the letter shows there’s still hope that Mack can turn her life around. She did say, however, that she does not expect to have any kind of relationship with Mack in the future.

“I was actually surprised. It felt very honest and raw. Like I have said before, an apology really is for the other person because it doesn’t change anything for the victim or the survivor in the past. It’s already been done,” says Oxenberg. “It just kind of helped me realize a little bit more where she was at in her own healing and that she has been able to see the truth about Keith Raniere and what a danger he is.”

Another victim, Jessica Joan, who delivered a victim impact statement in court and also received a letter from Mack, isn’t as convinced.

She told the judge she believes Mack is a “monster” and a “demon woman.” When asked about Mack’s claims of personal rehabilitation, Joan said she doesn’t know if it’s something Mack is capable of.

“Me personally, I don’t feel the remorse from her and I don’t know if it’s actually real,” says Joan.

With her plea, Mack admitted she gave “seduction assignments” to several women in DOS. Women in DOS were told they would be joining a secret women’s sorority.

In reality, Mack was among eight “first-line slaves” who reported directly to Raniere and were encouraged to recruit their own “slaves,” thus becoming their “master.”

Mack had four “slaves” that she regularly required to submit damaging collateral, including naked photographs. The women were not told of Raniere’s involvement in DOS when they joined.

One of Mack’s “slaves” testified during Raniere’s trial that she was instructed by Mack to meet Raniere outside. He then blindfolded the woman, taking her to an unknown location, where she received oral sex from an unknown person. It was later discovered the sexual act was performed by a different “first-line slave."

Despite sentencing guidelines ranging from 14 to 17 1/2 years, prosecutors recommended Mack be given less time due to her “substantial assistance” and cooperation with the investigation against Raniere and other NXIVM co-conspirators. Mack provided emails, documents and recordings to the government.

While Mack was not called to testify, prosecutors say she was prepared to do so.

Since pleading guilty, Mack has received her associate’s degree, enrolled in courses at the University of California, Berkeley and become active in a local church, according to her attorneys.

Raniere was sentenced in October 2020 to 120 years in prison after being found guilty of a number of crimes, including sex trafficking and forced labor conspiracy.

Seagram’s heiress Clare Bronfman, who pleaded guilty to charges involving fraud and identity theft, was sentenced in September 2020 to 81 months in prison. She was the first NXIVM co-conspirator to be sentenced for their role in NXIVM.

Other co-conspirators, including NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, member Lauren Salzman and bookkeeper Kathy Russell, await their sentencings.

Lauren Salzman will be sentenced July 28. The remaining sentencings have not been scheduled.