US: Former Missionary Called ‘Papa Daniel’ Sentenced to 30 Years for S*xual Abuse of 2 Boys in Texas

Daniel Savala, a 70-year-old former missionary and spiritual mentor, was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday, May 7. Appearing via video from the McLennan County jail, Savala pleaded guilty to continuous trafficking of persons involving the s*xual abuse of two boys. The sentencing follows a three-year legal process sparked by his 2023 arrest and marks a significant development in a case that has drawn scrutiny toward the oversight of major religious organisations.

Details of the Child S*x Abuse and Conviction

The charges Savala pleaded guilty to involve the abuse of two brothers, aged 11 and 12 at the time. According to court records, a Waco pastor brought his sons to Savala’s home, where the boys were instructed to undress in a sauna and were subsequently s*xually abused. Savala is currently being held in the McLennan County jail awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. While this sentence concludes the McLennan County case, Savala is expected to face further proceedings in Harris County. Authorities also noted he is linked to ongoing investigations in Brazos County. US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 15 Months After She Admits to Having S*x With Student.

Institutional Oversight and Allegations

The case has sparked intense criticism of Chi Alpha, a campus ministry operated by the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination. Reports indicate that despite a 2012 conviction for s*xual abuse of a minor in Alaska, Savala was allegedly granted continued access to students and ministry members in Texas. Within the ministry, Savala was reportedly referred to by titles such as "Papa Daniel" and "the holiest man alive". An investigation revealed that campus pastors frequently directed students to his Houston home for spiritual advice.

In a statement to NBC News, the Assemblies of God expressed that they were "heartbroken" by the allegations and claimed they directed leaders to avoid Savala in 2018. The denomination stated, "The Assemblies of God stands in strong opposition to the teachings and practices he followed". The organisation further noted that following reports of abuse in 2023, it dismissed more than half a dozen ministers who maintained ties with the former missionary.

Victim Impact and Testimony

During the sentencing hearing, several individuals provided impact statements. Joseph Cleveland, who stated he was abused by Savala for nearly a decade starting at age 15, expressed a sense of closure following the three-year battle for justice. "There's gratitude that it's finally over," Cleveland told KWTX. "It was also weird seeing him again, looking him in the eyes seeing the body language is the same to when it first started 20 years ago". Cleveland added that while he chose to forgive Savala as part of his own healing process, many other victims were too traumatised to attend the hearing or provide statements. US Shocker: Woman Kills 4-Year-Old Daughter in West Virginia, Later Has S*x With Husband; Awarded 2 Life Terms.

Broader Legal Implications

The investigation into Savala has also intersected with other high-profile cases. Savala was reportedly a "spiritual mentor" to Christopher Hundl, a former campus minister at Baylor University. Hundl currently faces his own legal challenges, including charges of continuous s*xual abuse of a young child in Harris County and continuous trafficking of persons in McLennan County. Law enforcement continues to examine the network of influence surrounding Savala as additional investigations remain active across the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2026 06:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).