close
close
hsuses

Lancaster County jury convicts former Jehovah’s Witnesses elder of child sexual abuse

Theo

A Lancaster County jury convicted a former Jehovah’s Witnesses elder of sexually abusing three children more than 20 years ago. Norman Aviles-Garriga, 45, was found guilty Wednesday of 12 counts, including aggravated sexual assault, sexual battery and endangering the welfare of a child. A judge revoked his bail and he was remanded in custody. His sentence will be announced at a later date. The charges stem from a grand jury investigation. The abuse occurred in Lancaster between 1999 and 2003. “This defendant weaponized religion to gain the community’s trust and proximity to abused children, and then took steps as an elder to discredit the victims,” ​​said Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. “The persistence of investigators and the brave survivors of this abuse did not allow that to happen, and this predatory defendant will now be held accountable.” According to witnesses, two of the victims reported the abuse to Jehovah’s Witness leaders. In meetings with elders, Aviles-Garriga called the victims “demons” and allegedly retaliated by using his position to delay their baptisms. According to witnesses, Aviles-Garriga was expelled from the church for several months and then readmitted. The victims later disclosed the abuse to counselors.

A jury in Lancaster County convicted a former Jehovah’s Witnesses elder of sexually abusing three children over 20 years ago.

Norman Aviles-Garriga, 45, was found guilty on Wednesday of 12 counts, including aggravated sexual assault, sexual battery and endangering the welfare of a child.

A judge revoked his bail and he was taken into custody. His sentence will be announced at a later date.

The charges stem from an investigation by a grand jury.

The abuse occurred in Lancaster between 1999 and 2003.

“This defendant used religion as a weapon to gain community trust and proximity to abused children, and then took steps as an elder to discredit the victims,” ​​said Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. “The persistence of investigators and the brave survivors of this abuse did not allow this to happen, and this predatory defendant will now be held accountable.”

According to witnesses, two of the victims reported abuse to the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In meetings with the elders, Aviles-Garriga referred to the victims as “demons” and allegedly took revenge by using his position to delay their baptisms.

According to witnesses, Aviles-Garriga was excluded from the church for several months, but then readmitted.

The victims later told counselors about the abuse.

Related Posts