Blackwood, Oregon – Authorities are investigating a disturbing incident within the confines of ‘The Line,’ the controversial self-sufficiency compound led by former survivalist, Elias Thorne. A student, identified as Thomas “Tommy” Bellweather, has publicly confessed to participating in and actively encouraging a particularly brutal series of hazing rituals, according to a statement released earlier this evening. The confession, captured on a privately owned surveillance camera, has sent shockwaves through the already tense atmosphere of the compound and raised serious questions about Thorne’s leadership and the true nature of the program.

The confession, which lasted nearly an hour, details a series of escalating physical and psychological tests imposed on new recruits. Bellweather, who joined ‘The Line’ approximately three months ago, admitted to pushing for increasingly severe punishments, including prolonged isolation, sleep deprivation, and, most disturbingly, the deliberate infliction of minor injuries. The footage shows Bellweather repeatedly urging fellow recruits to “step up” and “prove their commitment” to Thorne’s vision.

“He kept saying that if you weren’t willing to endure anything, you weren’t worthy of being part of the Line,” stated Sarah Jenkins, a fellow recruit who witnessed the confession. “It was… terrifying. He seemed genuinely convinced he was doing the right thing, that he was preparing us for something bigger.”

Thorne himself has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources within the compound claim he appeared visibly shaken by the recording, though he remained largely silent. One long-time recruit, Daniel Carter, offered a grim assessment: “Elias always preached about strength, about overcoming adversity. But this… this isn’t strength. This is just cruelty masked as discipline.”

Local authorities, led by Sheriff Brody Miller, have launched a preliminary investigation, focusing on potential violations of Oregon’s anti-abuse laws. “We’re taking this very seriously,” Sheriff Miller stated in a brief press conference. “The allegations are deeply concerning, and we’re committed to ensuring that anyone involved is held accountable.”

The revelation is likely to further destabilize ‘The Line,’ which has already been plagued by rumors of dissent and internal conflict. The future of the compound – and the lives of its remaining recruits – now hangs in the balance.