The sun sank slowly behind the San Bernardino Mountains on a Sunday evening in August, casting an eerie hush over the town of Hemet, California. Inside a modest house, police had just conducted a search warrant tied to the disappearances of two men, their cases interwoven by shadowy threads extending back several years. Outside, local residents whispered rumors, grappling with the sudden resurgence of a discussion previously shunned: the cult-like organization known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies.
Missing: The Stories of Emilio Ghanem and Ruben Moreno
It was May 2023 when Emilio Salem Ghanem, a 40-year-old entrepreneur, mysteriously vanished after visiting a Starbucks in Redlands. Just weeks prior, on August 2017, another man, Ruben Moreno, was last sighted at a house in Claremont, his fate unknown ever since. Until recently, authorities viewed the two cases as independent, but startling new evidence has surfaced, prompting investigations to converge. Both men were involved with His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, a religious organization that has drawn scrutiny for its unconventional practices and structure.
The Fractured Path of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies
Founded in Rialto in 2010 by Shelly Bailey “Kat” Martin and her husband Darryl “Muzic” Martin, His Way Spirit Led Assemblies offers a unique, albeit controversial, spiritual guide. Members view Shelly as a prophetess, a leader who purportedly channels divine messages. According to a former member, “There’s a pervasive atmosphere of control. New recruits are slowly lured into a web of dependence, and dissenters face severe isolation.”
A Family Divided
Charlie Moreno, Ruben’s brother, shared insights from a harrowing visit to the Assemblies. “I stepped inside, and immediately the red flags went up. The energy was suffocating; I felt like I was being monitored. When she began preaching, calling herself a prophet, I knew I had to leave,” he recalled. His reluctance to align with the group’s ideology led to estrangement from his brothers, both of whom have not been heard from in years.
Resurfacing Shadows: Investigations Merge
As police investigations intensified, a recent breakthrough in Ghanem’s case led to a search of locations tied to His Way. Authorities discovered evidence, including illegal firearms and digital devices, suggesting deeper criminal undertones linked to missing persons. “In cult-like organizations, the manipulation of vulnerable individuals is common. We often see such entities explore illicit activities to maintain financial and social control,” stated Dr. Jennifer Wilkins, a sociologist specializing in cult behavior at the University of California, Riverside.
- Financial Control: Members often relinquish their finances to the organization.
- Isolation: Dissenters are shunned, leading to familial divides.
- Manipulation: Leaders prey on psychological vulnerabilities, fostering dependency.
The Ripple Effect of Disappearance
In the wake of renewed interest in Moreno’s disappearance, the Claremont and Redlands police departments are now collaborating. Claremont police are particularly invested, seeking to comprehensively understand what happened to Ruben Moreno. Detective Maria Gonzalez expressed, “The intertwining of these two cases might illuminate pathways we had not previously considered. We remain committed to uncovering the truth.”
Meanwhile, as Ghanem’s community rallies for his return, parallels have emerged. “The dual disappearances emphasize a troubling cycle often seen within high-control groups—it suggests that such organizations may inherently harbor danger for their members,” noted Dr. Ethan Blanchard, a leading expert in cult dynamics.
Past Harbors Dark Secrets
As police became more aggressive, another shocking twist arose regarding the death of Timothy Thomas, a 4-year-old boy who died under puzzling circumstances in 2010. Following new leads linking his parents to the Assemblies, Colton police reopened the case for review. “It became apparent during our investigations into Ghanem and Moreno that various unsolved cases may be connected,” said Colton Sgt. Mike Sandoval. “Negligence could have played a role in observing rules of care while involved with leadership.”
Raids Yield Disturbing Finds
Across various locations, law enforcement carried out multiple raids, recovering illegal firearms and other incriminating evidence. Among those arrested were leaders of the Assemblies, with Shelly Martin detained briefly before being released due to medical complications. “None of the individuals detained have been cooperative,” noted Carl Baker, a spokesman for the Redlands police. “The organization is tight-knit, and breaking silence can have severe consequences.”
Charlie Moreno, whose brother Ruben has been missing for over six years, has shifted from skepticism to a grim resolve. When queried about what he believes may have happened to Ruben, he remained cryptic but hinted at dark knowledge: “I know what happened… but I have to tell my family first.” His ominous statement continues to resonate within the community, elevating fear and anticipation of what may come next.
The tales of Emilio Ghanem and Ruben Moreno unravel a broader narrative of danger, control, and an urgent call for awareness. As police work to connect the dots between disappearances yet unresolved, the dark cloud hovering over the small towns of Claremont and Redlands grows heavier—a reminder of the nature of belief and the human cost entwined within. Perhaps, in revelations yet to come, lies the key to transforming whispers of fear into stories of hope.
