NCJ Number
169019
Date Published
1996
Length
374 pages
Annotation
This is the true story of how a respected Pentecostal evangelist and his preacher cohorts systematically sexually abused and "pimped" young boys in their congregations.
Abstract
Pentecostal evangelist Mario Ivan "Tony" Leyva promoted the image of himself as a true prophet of God as he delivered sermons to millions of people for over 25 years. Brother Tony, however, was using his image and status as an evangelist to seduce young adolescent boys in 23 States. This investigation of the case examines how this serial pederast could avoid detection for so long without the parents of his victims suspecting that their children were being abused; and further, how these crimes against nearly 1,000 boys could go undetected by police for over two decades. Based on interviews with victims, their parents, and others, the author shows how Leyva and his cohorts would ingratiate themselves with parents and then seduce and assault their sons, telling their frightened victims that this was "God's special way for His people to love each other." In the epilogue, the author details his own struggle as an investigative journalist and his efforts against the pedophile group NAMBLA (The North American Man/Boy Love Association), which promotes its view of pederasty as an acceptable sexual option. He further suggests a strategy for a national fight to reduce child sexual assault by identifying and isolating from children anyone who perpetrates or tries to perpetrate sex crimes against them. A 21- item selected bibliography