Two leaders of a gaggle described as “cult-like” by authorities within the Inland Empire have been arrested together with a distinguished member on suspicion of homicide amid a number of investigations into the disappearance of two former members and the demise of a 4-year-old boy a few years in the past.
Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, who identifies himself because the pastor of His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies, and Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, 62, who refers to herself as a prophetess and a gifted oracle, have been arrested on suspicion of homicide together with member Rudy Moreno, 43, in keeping with Redlands police.
The leaders of the group have been underneath investigation in reference to the disappearance of former member Emilio Ghanem in Could 2023 after visiting a Redlands Starbucks. Individually, Claremont police are investigating the disappearance of Moreno’s brother, Ruben, who was additionally a member, whereas Colton police have been probing the demise of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas in 2010, who was within the Martins’ custody when he died after not receiving medical remedy.
Authorities have but to clarify whom they allege every individual killed. However Darryl Martin’s reserving data within the Riverside County jail present he was held on allegations of homicide, possession of a machine gun, and explosives. His spouse was booked within the San Bernardino County jail on suspicion of homicide and possession of a machine gun. Moreno was booked on suspicion of second-degree homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machine gun. The arrests occurred Thursday morning.
On Aug. 6, Redlands police, with assist from the FBI, swarmed the present base of His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet as a part of the investigation into the disappearance of Ghanem.
Emilio Ghanem was reported lacking in Could 2023.
(Redlands Police Division)
4 residents had been briefly detained, with two booked on unrelated weapons costs, police mentioned. A number of unlawful firearms — transformed absolutely automated rifles, short-barreled rifles and unserialized ghost weapons, had been recovered.
Police performed an identical raid on Aug. 12 at a distant compound linked to the group within the Riverside County city of Anza, the place they briefly detained eight folks and recovered digital units and different digital proof, in keeping with Redlands Police Division spokesperson Carl Baker.
Officers at the moment additionally detained the Martins at a motel in Laguna Hills however finally launched them with out looking for any felony costs.
However the investigation didn’t cease.
Authorities started giving the group a more in-depth look final yr, after Ghanem had disappeared and investigators discovered the truck he’d been driving together with different proof that led them to imagine a murder could have occurred.
Ghanem joined His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies round 2000 and helped launch a pest management enterprise run by the group, referred to as Fullshield Inc., his sister, Jennifer Ghanem, mentioned.
For a few years, he lived in one of many group’s Colton houses.
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A California spiritual group that police describe as ‘cult-like’ has landed within the highlight after a 4-year-old boy died and two members disappeared.
In April 2023, Ghanem left each the spiritual group and the corporate it operated, MaxGuard, behind and moved to Nashville to reunite along with his household. Ghanem began his personal pest management firm, then returned to the Inland Empire to open a satellite tv for pc workplace to win again a few of his outdated shoppers earlier than he disappeared.
Whereas Redlands police had been trying into Ghanem’s disappearance, over the summer time Claremont police introduced that one other lacking man, Ruben Moreno, had been affiliated with the group. Moreno was reported lacking in 2019.
As phrase of the Redlands police investigation unfold, Colton police renewed its investigation into the demise of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas on Jan. 16, 2010 — after he died inside an hour of the 911 name, in keeping with the coroner’s report. He was within the custody of Darryl and Shelley Martin on the time.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 2010 demise of Timothy Thomas.
(Colton Police Division)
Timothy’s reason behind demise was dominated to be septic shock because of a ruptured appendix, in keeping with the coroner’s report. Detectives suspect neglect additionally performed a task, in keeping with Colton detectives.
Police beneficial costs in opposition to the Martins in 2010, however the San Bernardino County district legal professional’s workplace declined to prosecute.
Neither the Martins nor their legal professional has responded to The Instances’ inquiries.
Timothy Thomas was staying with members of His Manner Spirit Led Assemblies in Colton when he suffered a medical emergency, authorities say.
(Daniel Flesher / LA Instances Studios)
When Timothy died, group members had been uncooperative with the investigation and gave conflicting testimony, making it difficult to prosecute the case, authorities mentioned.
On the time, then-Det. Jack Morenberg, who was investigating, expressed concern over allegations of kid abuse and mentioned the house had the looks of a doable “‘cult-like’ ministry,” in keeping with the coroner’s investigative report.
As a part of the probe, Darryl Martin informed police that Timothy’s mother and father had given him and his spouse momentary custody of their three kids as a result of their mom had issues and couldn’t present a steady dwelling, in keeping with the report. One in every of Timothy’s aunts informed police that the Martins wouldn’t enable the boy’s mom to see him, or her different kids.
A second aunt felt that Darryl Martin was answerable for Timothy’s demise and reported this to Colton police and youngster protecting companies in an effort to get the boy’s two remaining siblings faraway from the home, in keeping with the report. That aunt mentioned that Martin had instructed Timothy to not vomit and “confirmed him how one can place his hand over his mouth to cease the vomit from popping out,” the report states.
Since Timothy’s demise, a number of members have parted methods with the group and just lately revised their statements to Colton police, saying that their unique testimony was made underneath duress from the group’s leaders, Colton police Sgt. Shawn McFarland informed The Instances just lately.
In September, Colton police officers mentioned they deliberate to resubmit the demise investigation to prosecutors primarily based on new proof.
Due to the statute of limitations, McFarland mentioned, the one cost out there to pursue is youngster murder or homicide.
