Christian Missionary Called ‘Holiest Man Alive’ Faces 30 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse in Texas
70-year-old Daniel Savala pled guilty to a charge of continuous trafficking of persons in connection with the abuse of two boys
McLennan County Police
NEED TO KNOW
- A former missionary in Texas has pleaded guilty to a charge of continuous trafficking of persons in connection with the sexual abuse of two boys
- Daniel Savala is facing 30 years in prison after appearing in court on Thursday, May 7
- The charges the 70-year-old has pleaded guilty to stem from reports that a pastor brought his own sons to his home
A former missionary and convicted sex offender has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing boys in Texas.
Daniel Savala, 70, appeared in court in Waco by video from jail on Thursday, May 7, three years after his 2023 arrest, and pleaded guilty to a charge of continuous trafficking of persons in connection with the sexual abuse of two boys, KBTX and KWTX reported.
A McLennan County judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole. He is expected to face court in Harris County, but a date has not yet been set, per KBTX.
He is currently in the McLennan County jail but is set to be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, KWTX said.
The charges Savala pleaded guilty to stem from reports that a pastor from Waco brought his own sons to Savala's home. Here, the court heard, the 11 and 12-year-olds were told to undress in his sauna, where Savala sexually abused them.
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NBC News reported that leaders in the Chi Alpha campus ministry, run by Assemblies of God, failed to act on multiple allegations against Savala.
According to an investigation by the outlet last year, leaders in the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination, were repeatedly warned about Savala but still let him have access to students in Texas — even after he was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in Alaska in 2012.
Chi Alpha pastors called him "Papa Daniel" and "the holiest man alive," sending students to his home in Houston for advice.
PEOPLE reached out to Chi Alpha and the Assemblies of God for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
In a statement to NBC News, the Assemblies of God said it directed Chi Alpha leaders to stay away from Savala after receiving a report about him in 2018. Five years later, after receiving “reports of sexual abuse,” the denomination said it “took appropriate actions,” leading to the dismissal of more than a half dozen ministers with ties to Savala.
“We have been heartbroken to hear allegations related to Daniel Savala and the pain his reported actions caused,” the statement said. “The Assemblies of God stands in strong opposition to the teachings and practices he followed.”
Denomination leaders declined interview requests to NBC and did not answer detailed questions.
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McLennan County Police
Other individuals gave impact statements at the hearing, including Joseph Cleveland, who said he was abused by the missionary between the ages of 15 and 24.
"There's gratitude that it's finally over. We fought for almost three years to the day he was arrested," he said, via KWTX. "It was also weird seeing him again, looking him in the eyes seeing the body language is the same to when it first started 20 years ago."
Cleveland noted that he made the decision to forgive Savala to help him heal, but that others couldn't be there to give statements because they were still traumatized. "I want to represent myself because I am a victim as well, but also represent them in this," he explained.
According to authorities, via KBTX, Savala is also connected to ongoing investigations in Brazos County.
Meanwhile, he is reportedly known as a "spiritual mentor" to Christopher Hundl, a former Baylor University campus minister, who's facing similar charges, KWTX reported.
Hundl is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child in Harris County and continuous trafficking of persons in McLennan County, according to the outlet.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
'Worst kind of predator': Terrytown pastor convicted of sexually abusing 2 teenagers, DA says
It took a Jefferson Parish jury less than an hour before convicting a Terrytown pastor of sexually abusing two teenagers, according to the parish district attorney's office.
Terry Reed, 66, was convicted of rape and molestation of a juvenile. The conviction comes nearly 30 years after Reed first pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges. Prosecutors said he also admitted to molestation and indecent behavior with a juvenile in a separate 2017 case.
According to prosecutors, Reed operated a ministry out of his Terrytown home and used bible verses to manipulate victims and justify his sexual abuse.
“He is the worst kind of predator in this community that we can have," Assistant District Attorney Eric Cusimano said in his closing arguments.
A 16-year-old who was described as having a troubled home life began visiting Reed at his home in the spring of 2021 before eventually moving in with him, according to prosecutors. Three years later, the victim reported the abuse, and Reed was arrested.
A second victim came forward after learning about his arrest. Prosecutors said that the victim had also moved into Reed’s home at age 16 in 2011.
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