El Salvadoran national faces serious charges for assaulting young children during religious activities
In a disturbing revelation, Ervin Jeovany Alfaro Lopez, an El Salvadoran national previously deported twice from the United States, stands accused of molesting several young girls at the Elim Gaithersburg church in Maryland. The alleged incidents, spanning from 2014 to 2018, have sent shockwaves through the community, with victims aged between 6 and 12 years.
The first victim came forward in May of last year, prompting others to share their harrowing experiences. With four victims having come forward and suspicions of more undisclosed cases, the gravity of the situation has deeply affected the local community. The allegations suggest that Lopez exploited moments of vulnerability, such as movie-watching and prayer times, to carry out the assaults.
Upon learning of at least one incident, Lopez reportedly confessed to his pastor, leading to internal actions within the church. Pastor Bernal Osorio, representing the church, expressed both shock and outrage over the details that emerged, emphasizing the church’s cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Lopez’s immigration history adds complexity to the case. After an arrest in Louisiana in 2015 for unlawful entry and subsequent deportation in 2018 and 2020, his repeated illegal re-entries into the U.S. underscore the challenges in preventing such crimes. Currently held at the Montgomery County Detention Center without bond, Lopez faces over a dozen counts related to sexual assault, including charges of sexual abuse of a minor.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to lodge an immigration detainer against Lopez following the allegations, highlighting potential lapses in communication or cooperation with local detention facilities.
This case raises significant concerns about church safety, the effectiveness of deportation as a deterrent for criminal behaviour, and the mechanisms in place to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
