Former elder of Jehovah's Witnesses in Pennsylvania sentenced to prison for child sexual abuse

LANCASTER, PA – Norman Aviles-Garriga, a former elder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, has been sentenced to 11.5 to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing three children that occurred more than two decades ago. The sentencing follows a June conviction in which Aviles-Garriga, now 45, was found guilty by a Lancaster County jury on 12 charges, including aggravated assault.

Attorney General Michelle Henry, who oversaw the prosecution, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the impact of the victims’ testimonies. “This defendant abused his position within the religious community to sexually abuse multiple children,” she said. “The courage and strength shown by these victims is so admirable and appreciated. They came forward, testified and now justice has been served.”

The charges against Aviles-Garriga were part of an investigation by the 49th Investigating Grand Jury focusing on incidents that occurred between 1999 and 2003 in the city of Lancaster. Testimony revealed that although two of the victims reported the abuse to leaders within the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the information was not passed on to law enforcement, allowing Aviles-Garriga to continue his actions unchecked for years.

“This case underscores the importance of reporting such heinous acts to authorities,” Attorney General Henry added, emphasizing the need for religious and community leaders to put the safety of children above all else.

In addition to his prison sentence, Aviles-Garriga has been designated a sexually violent predator, which will require him to register as a sex offender for life. This designation aims to protect the community by ensuring continuous monitoring and restrictions on its activities.

The case has sparked wider discussions about child protection within religious organisations, with many calling for stricter guidelines and protocols to prevent and tackle such abuse in the future. The victims, supported by the community and the justice system, have shown that speaking out against abuse can lead to justice, even after many years.