Former Jehovah’s Witness Church Elder Pleaded Guilty to Sexually Abusing Three Children in Lancaster County, PA

A former Jehovah’s Witness elder has been found guilty of sexually abusing three children in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Norman Aviles-Garriga, aged 45, pleaded guilty to twelve charges stemming from the abuse, which occurred between 1999 and 2003.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Aviles-Garriga admitted to multiple counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 13, Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 13, Endangering the Welfare of Children, and Corruption of Minors.
Testimony indicated that during his time as an elder, Aviles-Garriga exploited his position. He reportedly referred to the victims as “demons” and delayed their baptisms as a form of retaliation. According to court documents, he was expelled from the Jehovah’s Witness congregation for months before eventually being permitted to return.
The abuse was not disclosed until the victims later shared their experiences with counselors, leading to formal charges being filed against Aviles-Garriga in 2023. Following the guilty verdict, he was taken into custody and denied bail, reflecting the court’s assessment of the severity of his actions.

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