Former Jehovah’s Witnesses elder found guilty of sexually abusing three children

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pennsylvania (WHP) — A former Jehovah’s Witnesses elder was found guilty on Wednesday of sexually abusing three children in Lancaster.

According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, 45-year-old Norman Aviles-Garriga pleaded guilty to 12 counts related to the abuse that occurred in the city of Lancaster between 1999 and 2003.

Two of the victims reported the abuse to Jehovah’s Witnesses leadership.

The office said Aviles-Garriga called the victims “demons” in meetings with the elders and, in revenge, used his leadership position to delay their baptisms.

According to witnesses, Aviles-Garriga was excluded from the church for months before he was finally allowed to return.

The victims later reported the abuse to counselors, the office reported, and charges were filed against Aviles-Garriga in 2023.

Following the guilty verdict on Wednesday, Aviles-Garriga was taken into custody and denied bail.

According to court documents, he pleaded guilty to several counts of aggravated sexual assault of a person under 13, sexual assault of a person under 13, endangering the welfare of a child and enticement of a minor.

The verdict is scheduled for a later date.