He gave these individuals a place to stay and a space for their artwork and their creativity,' she stated. Mack says Almena's spouse Micah Allison was always by his side. Do not forget his spouse, she was there co-signing everything,' she mentioned. She added: 'Throughout the partitions of essentially the most stunning temple residing tribute tied sure nailed erected and held along with love and blood. Mack stated a man referred to as Max Ohr - nicknamed 'Warlord' - was Almena's proper-hand man and would regularly do the chief's bidding. It's believed Ohr, who escaped the blaze on Friday, was working the door for the rave that night time. The violent facet of the Almena's group has additionally been exposed in court docket papers and by the testimony of other tenants who lived beneath Almena's rule and visitors to the warehouse. Travel: Almena appears to have used conventional masks from Indian theater to make this show.
Last yr Almena was accused by artists and events producers of stealing equipment, breaking contracts, and making violent threats, in keeping with courtroom paperwork. Philippe Lewis mentioned that he rented the Ghost Ship for an event on January 3, 2015, but that Almena demanded additional money for the area. Throughout the incident, it was claimed, Almena locked individuals into the converted warehouse and held them captive. In a petition for a restraining order filed with the Alameda Superior Court, Lewis alleged that Almena threatened him. I'll get my gun,' he allegedly instructed Lewis, who had seen a field of new bullets whereas in the property. He also claims he was attacked, sustained a dislocated shoulder and was kicked in the top by Almena's henchmen - who assaulted Lewis on their leader's orders. He additionally says claims he saw proof of a gun and bows and crossbow weapons on the property. Almena referred to as the warehouse alternately the Ghost Ship or the Satya Yuga collective.
Cult-like: Derick Ion Almena's art appeared to use elements of Hindu mysticism - such because the statue of Shiva in the center and items taken from different religions with two statues of Mary, the mom of Christ from Christian tradition surrounding it. Derick Ion Almena (left), 46, leased the 'Ghost Ship' warehouse. Symbolism: The way in which in which Aleman mixed religious imagery and different objects is evident. The swastika (heart) is a logo of excellent fortune . Sinister: Skulls and skull figurines, a bow with arrows, unicorn statues and candles crammed a crowded house in one room. He even tried to take a restraining order out against a tenant who complained about circumstances in the warehouse. The tenant, Shelley Mack, fell out with him in an offended dispute over the unsafe and unsanitary situations in the 'commune'. Describing him as a 'cult leader' she said Almena threatened her several instances and certainly one of his followers pulled a gun on her.
It was a cult if you believed what Derick needed to say, but I did not,' she said. But there have been people who did imagine him though. In the event you didn't observe him then they'd threaten your life, pull guns big fluffy unicorn stuffed animal on you, turn your electricity off. I had one pal in there who was a diabetic and Derick stole his drugs and his truck and kicked him out and referred to as the police. If you happen to did not present that you just had been prepared to do whatever he wished you to do, you have been on the out. In case you didn't purchase in to the best way issues have been run they ostracized you, kicked you out and saved your cash and your issues. Mysticism: Almena displayed what look like gadgets from a Hindu temple on the left combined with African tribal masks and a portrait of Christ. Association: The Ghost Ship - which also called itself Satya Yuga, went out of its way to appear associated with religion, including this image on its webpage of what appears to be an Indian sadhu - a Hindu holy man (proper).