The News Journal from Daytona Beach, FL., has reported that a self-proclaimed evangelist preacher has been arrested and charged with five counts of transporting minor children across state lines for the purpose of illegal sexual activities.
The spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Amy Filjones, said that L.M., 57, has been charged along with a female, R.R., who is believed to be a member of his Ormond Beach ministry.
According to the federal indictment, filed on May 16, R.R. is facing two criminal counts.
Filjones stated that the federal prosecutors believe that L.M. took a minimum of six children across state lines before he molested them.
Both L.M. and R.R. were arrested by federal agents on May 17 – L.M. in Florida and R.R. in Connecticut.
In November of 2009, according to the indictment, L.M. and R.R. took a child from Florida to Connecticut for the purpose of illegal sexual activities.
In December of 2010 L.M. allegedly transported another child from Arizona to Florida. That second child was then moved from Florida to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, again with the intent of illegal sexual activities. Five days after arriving in St. Thomas the child was brought back to Florida.
L.M. and his wife allegedly ran a ministry named "En Fuego For Jesus" according to the ministry's website. L.M. is known as "Apostle Tito" to members of the ministry.
According to R.R.'s Myspace page, she left Mexico in July of 2004 and joined the En Fuego ministry. There is a woman, known by her first name only on the ministry's website, that is listed as a prophet. It is believed that woman is R.R.
In 1998, according to court records, L.M. was charged in Volusia County with lewd and lascivious assault on a child. In 1999, however, prosecutors decided not to prosecute and the case was later closed.
The indictment lists a home for L.M. on Crossings Trail in Ormond Beach. Reporters left a message there, but the call was not returned.
A next-door neighbor of L.M.'s told reporters that the couple held weekly Sunday services in their home. The neighbor, J.M., said that he could hear voices speaking in tongues during the services.
Some Christians believe that the ability to speak in tongues is a gift of language that can only be bestowed by God.
At other times, according to J.M., he could hear the couple arguing. He also witnessed young men and women often at the home. When he learned of the indictment, J.M. said, "I never thought in my wildest dreams something like this was happening."
Filjones said that L.M. is facing 10 years to life in federal prison. He is currently being held in the Orange County Jail.
If you are facing one or more criminal charges, do yourself a favor and contact a criminal defense attorney right away. The sooner you begin to work on your defense the sooner you can begin work on your future.
