The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office on Monday, Dec. 15, announced murder charges against the leaders of what one official described as a “secretive and manipulative” Hemet-based church after probes of the deaths of a missing former congregant and a young boy who died in the leaders’ care, officials said.
Warrants were served on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Colton and at the base of operations of the His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet.
“What you have are two separate, winding-road investigations that are coming together,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said at a news conference at the DA’s headquarters in San Bernardino.
Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, 62, who calls herself “Prophetress” and heads the church with her husband, was charged with two counts of murder, one for ex-congregant Emilio Ghanem, who hasn’t been seen since 2023 and whose body has not been found, and for the 2010 death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas, who was placed in the care of Martin and her husband and died of a ruptured appendix.
The husband, Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, who goes by “Pastor Muzic” was charged with murder in Timothy’s death.
Anderson alleged that the Martins knew Timothy was ill and suffering yet failed to seek medical care.
Timothy’s father, Andre Thomas, was charged with murder in his son’s death. And congregant Rudy Moreno was charged with murder in the apparent death of Ghanem.
Moreno is the brother of another missing ex-congregant, Ruben Moreno. Claremont police are still investigating his disappearance. No update on that case was immediately available Monday.
Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber, who called the church “secretive and manipulative,” said the closed nature of the 50-congregant sect hindered the investigation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
