SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. – On Friday November 15, 2024, Abraham Jatnel Coronado, a youth leader at La Luz Del Mundo church located in Redlands, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of thirteen felony counts of sexual abuse against three young church members.
The abuse occurred while Coronado oversaw Ebenezer Ranch, an off-site church location in Redlands. Children from the church were sent to assist at the ranch and would often spend the night in Coronado’s trailer located on the ranch. The children were left alone without parental supervision but were presumed to be under the care and direction of Coronado who was well respected and known to have a close relationship with the church’s main leaders.
For no less than five years, Coronado preyed on multiple victims, who were between the ages of 12-17, and worked on the ranch at the time of the crimes.
John Doe #1 reported the sexual abuse first in 2021, after seeing Coronado taking another young victim with him around the ranch and knew he had to get help to stop Coronado from abusing more victims.
During the month-long trial, John Doe #1 testified that between the ages 15 – 17, that Coronado repeatedly sexually abused him. In a recorded call with John Doe #1 introduced during trial, Coronado said he “wanted this [sex] to happen,” and when confronted about the sexual abuse, he never denied the abuse occurred.
John Doe #2 testified that Coronado “groomed” him to become his boyfriend and would often isolate John Doe #2 from the other children at the ranch. John Doe #2 testified that there were many acts of sexual assault throughout the years of 2010-2011 when he was 13 years old. John Doe #2 told the jury that when he turned 14, forcible acts of sexual assault occurred.
John Doe #3 testified that when he was between the ages of 12-13, Coronado would slap his buttocks, rub his chest, and rub his pelvis against him in a sexual manner. John Doe #3 testified that no adult had ever behaved that way with him.
Coronado admitted to the sexual assaults and knowing the age of the children at the time the sexual assaults occurred. Coronado wrote an apology letter to the victims for all the “suffering and humiliation” caused by his “stupidity.”
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Abraham Coronado guilty of all charges, special allegations and aggravating factors.
Deputy District Attorney Adrienne Mendoza who successfully prosecuted this case said, “After nearly two decades, the Defendant’s horrific and predatory conduct towards children has finally come to an end. Not only should the victims be applauded for facing their perpetrator, but also for their unwavering bravery, honesty, and courage throughout the entire criminal procedure process. We also thank the jury for their careful attention and consideration of the evidence presented in trial.”
On November 15th, the Honorable Judge David Mazurek sentenced Abraham Coronado to 26 years + 175 to Life for his crimes against children.
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Case # FSB22001549