2nd murder charge filed against pastor in case of missing former congregant

By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, May 29, 2026

Darryl Muzik Martin, pastor of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Colton, California, has joined his wife, Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, in facing a second murder charge for the death of a congregant who went missing in 2023 after he left their religious group.

In December 2025, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Martin, 58, his now 63-year-old wife, and 44-year-old group member, Rudy Moreno.

The arrests were tied to the alleged murder of Emilio Ghanem, 40, who went missing in 2023, and the alleged 2010 murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas. Arrests were also made in relation to firearms.

Both Shelley Martin, who was described as the group’s leader and "head prophetess," and Rudy Moreno were arrested for their alleged involvement in the murders of Emilio Ghanem and various weapons charges.

Shelley Martin and former group member Andre Thomas Sr., 49, were arrested for the murder of Timothy Thomas. Shelley Martin was subsequently charged with murder in the death of Timothy Thomas.

In a filing this week, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson also charged Darryl Martin with Ghanem’s murder as well as conspiracy to commit murder, according to The San Bernardino Sun.

Prosecutors contend that the Martins ordered Moreno and Ramon Duran Jr., 44, to kill Ghanem because he left the group and started his own pest control company that rivaled one that the congregation was already operating. He was accused of taking customers away from the group. The last time Ghanem was seen alive was at a Starbucks in Redlands on May 25, 2023.

It remains unclear who ordered Ghanem’s death or how he was killed. Still, witnesses at a recent hearing said anyone who failed to follow Shelley Martin’s orders would suffer consequences such as beatings or banishment from the group.

All of the suspects currently remain in custody and have pleaded not guilty, according to the San Bernardino Sun.

In the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas, evidence was presented before the court on Wednesday showing that Andre Thomas and his wife, Iris, had legally signed over guardianship of the boy and his three siblings to the Martins for a year beginning in December 2009. Police testified that the couple was having marital issues when they decided to leave their children in the care of the Martins.

Timothy Thomas was reportedly sick for two weeks before he died on Jan. 10, 2010. No charges were initially filed for his death because members gave incomplete statements to the police. The investigation into the boy’s death was eventually reopened by Colton police after police in Redlands began investigating the church.

It was revealed that Timothy lived in three Colton homes run by the church. Witnesses stated that in the two weeks before he died, he vomited, was in pain, and appeared listless. It was stated that the Martins preferred to rely on Jesus for healing and only reluctantly allowed congregants to seek medical care from doctors or hospitals.