HARRISBURG, PA — Norman Aviles-Garriga, a former elder within the Jehovah’s Witnesses community, has been sentenced to a prison term of 11.5 to 23 years for the sexual abuse of three children. The sentencing follows his conviction on 12 charges, including aggravated indecent assault and endangering the welfare of children, by a Lancaster County jury in June.
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the outcome, emphasizing the breach of trust and position by Aviles-Garriga, now 45, who exploited his role within the religious community to commit these egregious acts over two decades ago. “This defendant, who abused his position within the religious community and sexually assaulted multiple children, was sentenced to over a decade in state prison,” Henry stated. She also highlighted that Aviles-Garriga has been designated as a sexually violent predator, necessitating lifetime registration as a sex offender.
The crimes, perpetrated between 1999 and 2003 in Lancaster city, were initially reported by two victims to Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders but were not communicated to law enforcement. It was only after the victims disclosed the abuse to counselors that a formal investigation was launched by the Office of Attorney General.
The prosecution, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Angela Sperrazza, culminated in a conviction that underlines the duty of law enforcement agencies to pursue justice for victims of historical sexual abuse. Attorney General Henry praised the courage of the victims, whose testimonies were pivotal in securing the conviction, acknowledging their strength in coming forward despite the trauma they experienced.
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