Five Bodies Found in Kan. Barrels

Tuesday, June 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) â€” Remains of five bodies have been found in barrels connected to a man who allegedly used the name ``slavemaster'' to develop online relationships with women, authorities said today.

The first two bodies were found in barrels buried on John E. Robinson Sr.'s property Saturday in a field in La Cygne, Kan., about 50 miles south of Kansas City, Mo.

Three other 55-gallon drums were discovered Monday at a rental storage locker about 30 miles away in Cass County, Mo., southeast of Kansas City. Authorities confirmed today that bodies were found inside.

Robinson, 56, appeared in court Monday on charges he sexually assaulted two other women at suburban Kansas City hotels. Those women survived. Bond was raised to $5 million at that time.

The discoveries of bodies followed a three-month missing persons investigation.

In Kansas, Linn County Sheriff Marvin Stites said about 20 investigators â€” including some from the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation â€” would continue to search Robinson's property.

Crews were expected to drain a pond on Robinson's property later today.

``We may find more bodies, but we certainly hope not,'' Stites said.

The two women Robinson is accused of assaulting told police they voluntarily agreed this spring to act as ``sex slaves'' for Robinson, who prosecutors said used the screen name ``slavemaster'' in his computer correspondence.

But they said he brutalized them in a way that went beyond what they intended. One also said Robinson stole more than $700 worth of whips, paddles and other sex toys from her.

One surviving woman, authorities said, traveled from Texas for the sexual encounter in April. The other met with him in May. Her residence was unknown.