He gave these people a place to remain and an area for their artwork and their creativity,' she said. Mack says Almena's spouse Micah Allison was all the time by his facet. Remember his wife, she was there co-signing all the things,' she mentioned. She added: 'Within the partitions of essentially the most beautiful temple dwelling tribute tied certain nailed erected and held along with love and blood. Mack mentioned a man called Max Ohr – nicknamed 'Warlord' – was Almena's proper-hand man and would often do the chief's bidding. It's believed Ohr, who escaped the blaze on Friday, was working the door for the rave that night. The violent aspect of the Almena's group has additionally been exposed in courtroom papers and by the testimony of other tenants who lived below Almena's rule and visitors to the warehouse. Travel: Almena appears to have used conventional masks from Indian theater to make this show.
Last year Almena was accused by artists and occasions producers of stealing equipment, breaking contracts, and making violent threats, according to court documents. Philippe Lewis mentioned that he rented the Ghost Ship for an occasion on January 3, 2015, however that Almena demanded additional cash for the space. During 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 informed Lewis, who had seen a field of new bullets whereas in the property. He additionally claims he was attacked, sustained a dislocated shoulder and was kicked in the top by Almena's henchmen – who assaulted Lewis on their chief's orders. He also says claims he noticed proof of a gun and bows and crossbow weapons on the property. Almena called the warehouse alternately the Ghost Ship or the Satya Yuga collective.
Cult-like: Derick Ion Almena's artwork appeared to use elements of Hindu mysticism – such because the statue of Shiva in the middle and objects taken from other 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 wherein Aleman blended religious imagery and other items is obvious. The swastika (center) is a symbol of good fortune . Sinister: Skulls and skull figurines, a bow with arrows, unicorn statues and candles crammed a crowded house in one room. He even attempted to take a restraining order out in opposition to a tenant who complained about circumstances within 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 chief' she said Almena threatened her several times and considered one of his followers pulled a gun on her.
It was a cult if you happen to believed what Derick needed to say, however I didn't,' she mentioned. But there have been people who did believe him though. Should you did not observe him then they would threaten your life, pull guns on you, turn your electricity off. I had one pal in there who was a diabetic and Derick stole his medication and his truck and kicked him out and called the police. In the large pink unicorn stuffed animal event you did not present that you simply had been keen to do whatever he needed you to do, you had been on the out. If you didn't buy in to the way things have been run they ostracized you, kicked you out and stored your money and your issues. Mysticism: Almena displayed what look like objects from a Hindu temple on the left combined with African tribal masks and a portrait of Christ. Association: The Ghost Ship – which additionally known as itself Satya Yuga, went out of its way to look related to religion, together with this image on its webpage of what seems to be an Indian sadhu – a Hindu holy man (proper).