HARRISBURG, Pa. — A former Jehovah's Witness elder has been convicted of sexually abusing three children more than 20 years ago.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Norman Aviles-Garriga was found guilty Wednesday afternoon of all 12 charges being tried, including aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and endangering the welfare of children following a three-day trial in Lancaster County.
Aviles-Garriga, 45, will be sentenced at a later date.
After the verdict, a Lancaster County judge revoked Aviles-Garriga's bail and he was taken into custody.
The charges stem from the 49th Investigating Grand Jury and were filed and prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General. The abuse happened between 1999 and 2003 in Lancaster City.
“This defendant weaponized religion to gain community trust and proximity to abuse children, then took steps as an elder to have the victims discredited,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “The tenacity of investigators and the brave survivors of this abuse did not allow that to happen, and this predatory defendant is now held accountable.”
According to testimony, two of the victims reported the abuse to Jehovah's Witnesses leaders. In the meetings before the elders, Aviles-Garriga called the victims 'demons' and retaliated by using his position to delay their baptisms.
According to testimony, Aviles-Garriga was expelled from the church for a period of months but was allowed back.
The victims later disclosed the abuse to counselors.