Knapp was introduced to the Rajneesh teachings in 1976 and stayed at the Pune ashram between 1979 and 1981. Due to his background in the real estate industry, with knowledge of municipality law and related business, he became involved with what would developed into Rajneeshpuram, a commune built in rural Wasco County, Oregon. In late 1982 he became a city official and later was named mayor of the new city. In 1985, he became an FBI informant and provided what the Bureau described as "essential" information to uncovering the criminal activities of the religious group. Deva admitted to being involved with the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack.