Chaos has erupted in a remote South Dakota community where residents live in anticipation for the end of the world after it was revealed to be the subject of dozens of lawsuits, a near-fatal shooting and the center of an FBI investigation.
The Vivos xPoint doomsday complex, a former military munitions site located eight miles south of Edgemont, is home to more than 200 people who live in concrete bunkers to seek safety from potential national or global disasters that could endanger society and the world.
But a different version of the dreamy self-sustainable lifestyle has emerged in recent months – leaving its residents feeling anything but safe.
‘It’s been nothing but a nightmare,’ 51-year-old David Streeter, a resident of 18-months told South Dakota News Watch.
‘We just wanted to get away from the rat race and live peacefully, but obviously that hasn’t happened.’
The former Black Hills Army Depot munitions storage facility, which has more than 500 above-ground bunkers that resemble earthen igloos, stored the military’s conventional and chemical munitions from 1942 to 1967.
A new development in 2016 transformed the abandoned base into the survivalist residential community owned and operated by California businessman Robert K. Vicino.
But over the past four months, News Watch uncovered at least 16 lawsuits or legal actions that have been filed by residents or former residents against Vicino, Vivos or its subcontractors against former residents and property neighbors.
Chaos has erupted in the Vivos xPoint doomsday complex, a former military munitions site located eight miles south of Edgemont that is home to more than 200 people who live in concrete bunkers in anticipation for the end of the world
Over the past four months, News Watch uncovered at least 16 lawsuits or legal actions that have been filed by residents or former residents against the complex and its owner
California businessman Robert K. Vicino, the owner and operator of the survivalist residential community, attributed the lawsuits surrounding him to ‘bad apples’ who may have ‘their own agenda’ while residing in the community
In addition, at least two former residents have been interviewed by FBI agents.
The lawsuits include eviction disputes, demands for refunds and claims that Vivos failed to deliver amenities, security and services that were promised to its paying residents.
Those who wish to own a bunker pay Vivos an up-front lease fee of up to $55,000 including an additional $3,000 for water services.
They also pay a monthly fee of $111 for ‘common area fees’ and an annual $1,124 for a ‘ground rent free’ to have their bunker ready for them upon arrival.
Vivos uses a 99-year-lease agreement, meaning residents do not legally own their own bunkers, and they have to sign a 14-page agreement and an eight-page list of rules to follow within the community.
Those who violate the rules or talk to the media about the bunker complex face the possibility of eviction or fines.
In one lawsuit, Daniel Sindorf, a former resident, alleged that Vivos misrepresented facts to illegally evict him.
In the eviction notice, Vivos claimed that Sindorf pointed a gun at a person – a violation of the lease – while the lawsuit claims that he only pulled his gun to prepare for a possible attack by ‘dangerous dogs’, and never pointed it at a person.
Those who wish to own a bunker pay Vivos an up-front lease fee of up to $55,000 including an additional $3,000 for water services
They also pay a monthly fee of $111 for ‘common area fees’ and an annual $1,124 for a ‘ground rent free’ to have their bunker ready for them upon arrival – but those who violate the rules or talk publicly about the complex face threats of eviction
The lawsuit demanded that Sindorf and his wife be refunded the majority of their up-front lease fee and their monthly fees that were supposed to go toward amenities and services that were never actually provided.
Another former resident, Brandon Elliott, also claimed that his bunker was leased to a new resident after he was illegally evicted following a $15,000 home improvement project.
‘There have been so many people in my situation,’ Elliott told News Watch.
‘As soon as there’s a problem and they complain, they get pushed out illegally and their bunkers are resold.’
Wayne Corriea, one of the community’s first residents who formally worked as security for Vivos, said that Vicino is an unethical businessman who takes questionable actions against anyone who decides to challenge him.
‘I won’t torment, harass or intimidate people, and I won’t do anything that I feel is wrong,’ Corriea said.
‘So several times I disagreed with him, and I wouldn’t do stuff, and I think that caused a lot of issues with him and me because he wanted me to lie for him, but not to him,’ he added.
In response to the lawsuits and complaints surrounding himself and Vivos, Vicino attributed the growing situation to ‘bad apples’ who may have ‘their own agenda’ while residing in the community.
The former Black Hills Army Depot munitions storage facility, which has more than 500 above-ground bunkers that resemble earthen igloos, stored the military’s conventional and chemical munitions from 1942 to 1967
The lawsuits include eviction disputes, demands for refunds and claims that Vivos failed to deliver amenities, security and services that were promised to its paying residents
‘There is a group of disgruntled people, they call themselves the pioneers, and you know, they seem to have nothing better to do but to complain,’ Vicino told the outlet.
Custer attorney J. Scott James, who is litigating several lawsuits related to Vivos, said that the entire situation seems like an ‘inequitable relationship’.
‘If it’s truly a 99-year-lease, and you’re evicting my client in year three or four and they’ve prepaid 95 years of lease money, then you should have to give it back – at least a prorated amount,’ James argued.
FBI agents from the San Diego office have also been said to have interviewed at least two residents – both Streeter and Elliott.
Elliott said that he was interviewed this past November in relation to Vicino ‘dealing with problems in an illegal way’.
Streeter said that he had also been interviewed twice by agents since November in regards to leases and financial dealings within the complex as well as other allegations related to Vicino.
Although Vicino told the outlet that he wasn’t aware of the FBI inquiries, he welcomes any investigation.
‘I welcome it, good, come talk to me,’ Vicino said. ‘We love being vetted because as far as we know, we’re all by the book.’
Brandon Elliott, a former resident, claimed that his bunker was leased to a new resident after he was illegally evicted following a $15,000 home improvement project
Wayne Corriea, one of the community’s first residents who formally worked as security for Vivos, said that Vicino is an unethical businessman who takes questionable actions against anyone who decides to challenge him
Streeter – an Army veteran who was injured during his service in Bosnia – abandoned his traditional life to relocate to the prepper community with his wife and daughter.
His goal was to leave his former life of stress, expenses and restrictions of the modern world and protect his family from a possible apocalypse or some other event that could threaten the course of mankind.
But after only living in the community for a little over a year, he found himself in a situation where a life of worry and danger – things he specifically sought to avoid – crept up on his family.
He initially began to contact Vivos management to complain that his septic system at the bunker wasn’t functional and that the tires on his truck had been destroyed by nails and railroad spikes within the road gravel.
Streeter asked to be compensated for the tires and have Vivos pay to repair the septic system.
He also made extensive allegations regarding how the complex was being run and how resident money was being spent.
In August, the father shot a Vivos contract employee at close range after he claimed the man had threatened his family.
He claimed that the employee would drive by his home and give him the middle finger or take videos of him, his home and his family.
Streeter also claimed that the employee ran him and his wife off the roadway several times – but the dangerous behavior only continued after he complained to management.
He claimed that his fears intensified in August when his adult daughter and young children moved into the property.
That’s when he tracked down the employee, pulled him other and reached into his truck – grabbing his shirt and warning him to stay away from his family.
But awhile later, another contract employee drove up to his bunker and began to threaten him – at which point he pulled out his handgun and fired a single shot to his chest.
No charges were ever filed in the case or in another fatal shooting involving Streeter in Montana in 2010 – but he was charged with one count of simple assault for the earlier confrontation.
‘It’s like they think, “If we don’t see any problems, they’re not there,”‘ Streeter said.
‘All we need is for someone to take an interest and do something. All of this has happened down here, and I’ve reported it to every entity I can find, everybody that should have authority over it, and nothing has been done to help me or all these other people being hurt down here.’
He and his wife, Katja, were evicted from their bunker and now reside in a cramped home consisting of one hot shower with nine other adults and children – a home located not too far from the Vivos complex.
Another lawsuit demands that a former resident and his wife be refunded the majority of their up-front lease fee and their monthly fees that were supposed to go toward amenities and services that were never actually provided
Other court filings are related to up-front payment for the bunker leases and projects that seem to take years to be completed – despite having to continue to pay for the monthly common area fees
But Streeter said that even after moving out of the remote community, the subcontractor he shot – who is a convicted felon known to carry guns – frequently drives by or parks outside the house where they now live.
‘I think Mr. Streeter came here with a lot of hope about how his life would be when he got here, and I think that he’s frustrated and disappointed with the way his interactions with Vivos have gone, and that he certainly didn’t expect to be in the middle of a shooting match with an employee,’ James said about his client.
‘He didn’t expect to be fearful for his safety and his life at all times and has to basically guard himself 24 hours a day to keep everything from being taken from him,’ he added.
Both he and his wife are the plaintiffs in a handful of lawsuits related to their eviction, the shooting, a protection order request against him and small claims cases.
At least three current and former residents told the outlet they they were also concerned about two on-site subcontractors with criminal records.
Kelly Anderson, one worker on the property, served prison time in 2006 after a felony armed robbery conviction.
In response to residents distaste with the complex’s employees, Vicino acknowledged that he may be a convicted felon but ‘that doesn’t mean he doesn’t serve society and that he’s upstanding at this time.’
Other court filings are related to up-front payment for the bunker leases and projects that seem to take years to be completed.
At least three current and former residents told the outlet they they were also concerned about two on-site subcontractors with criminal records
David Streeter, another former resident, abandoned his old life to relocate to the complex with his family for stability and safety – but shot an employee after he claimed that he’s been threatening he and his family
Several amenities – which are all listed on a large sign at the complex entrance – include things such as a gym, general store, community theater, medical clinic, woodworking shop and restaurant.
But residents are claiming to be frustrated over the length of time it takes to begin building the promised amenities – even though they must continue to pay for the monthly common area fees.
‘Stuff just doesn’t get done,’ said one 70-year-old former resident.
‘And when you complain to Robert about it, he isn’t going to help you, you’re on your own,’ they added. ‘So people feel betrayed.’
James added how his clients are disappointed that they have ended up in court after making the fundamental commitment to uproot themselves and find stability in another way of life.
‘What’s being sold to them is essentially that they have this great, sustainable community of like-minded people that they’ll be able to thrive in. And I think that’s what a lot of people came here for,’ James said.
‘And I think some of them still hope it can be that. But I think that they all, over time, have lost confidence in that vision of what this was supposed to be.’
Yet throughout all of the chaos, Vicino said that he has found great success in leasing the bunkers – making the project highly successful and profitable.
Yet throughout all of the chaos, Vicino said that he has found great success in leasing the bunkers to like-minded people – making the project highly successful and profitable
Additionally, he stated that the complex has evolved into a thriving community of like-minded people – most of whom are happy to live there.
‘I know all the gripes… But you cannot respond to unreasonable gripes,’ Vicino said.
‘I can point to hundreds of others that will say, “Yeah, we love it. We love what you’re doing and how you’re doing it,”‘ he added.
‘We do exactly what the lease says… There’s nothing criminal here, there’s nothing under cloak, it’s all right out there and it’s all justified.’
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