San Cristóbal court reviews detention request for ‘El Pastor’ in child abuse case

A court in San Cristóbal is reviewing a request for preventive detention against Ángel Gabriel Capellán, known as ‘El Pastor’, and Isaías Ramón Muñoz Rodríguez. The Public Ministry accuses both men of human trafficking, physical and psychological abuse, and forced labor involving 14 minors.

The alleged crimes took place at a property linked to the ‘Fundación Restaurando Vida’ (also known as ‘Un Muerto que Revive’) located in the municipality of Haina. Prosecutors claim the minors were forced to perform labor and have presented 40 pieces of evidence, including testimonies from the rescued children taken via Gesell chamber.

In addition to abuse and trafficking charges, the defendants face allegations of violating laws regarding the protection of children and adolescents, as well as regulations concerning the registration and operation of social programs. The prosecution is seeking three months of preventive detention, requesting that the accused be sent to the Najayo-Hombres Correctional and Rehabilitation Center.