Colton Police Revisit 4-Year-Old’s Death Following Arrests of Religious Group Leaders
Colton Police Revisit 4-Year-Old’s Death Following Arrests of Religious Group Leaders
In a troubling revisit of a decade-old case, Colton police are reviewing new leads surrounding the death of Timothy Thomas, a 4-year-old boy who died in January 2010 while under the temporary custody of leaders from a Hemet-based religious group called His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. This renewed scrutiny follows the recent arrests of key figures associated with the group as part of investigations into multiple disappearances and possible illegal activities.
A Tragic Beginning: Timothy Thomas’s Death
Timothy Thomas died from natural causes due to a ruptured appendix, according to a police report. At the time of his death, his birth parents had signed over temporary custody to leaders of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Despite the child’s medical emergency, police alleged neglect on the part of his guardians for failing to seek timely medical attention, prompting calls for involuntary manslaughter charges. However, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office ultimately ruled there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges in 2010.
Religious Group Under Increased Police Scrutiny
The religious group at the center of this case, His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, has increasingly attracted law enforcement attention due to several suspicious incidents. Recently, two prominent leaders of the organization, Darryl Muzic Martin and his wife, Shelly Bailey “Kat” Martin, were arrested in Redlands on illegal weapons charges amid a separate inquiry into the disappearance of Emilio Salem Ghanem, a former member of the group.
Ghanem vanished in May 2023 after visiting a Starbucks in Redlands and is now considered a potential homicide victim. Authorities seized multiple illegal firearms and untraceable “ghost guns” during raids on properties connected to the group. The involvement of group leaders in such criminal investigations has led police to reexamine previously unresolved cases connected to the Assemblies.
Connections to Other Missing Persons Cases
Beyond Timothy Thomas’s tragic death and Ghanem’s disappearance, law enforcement is also investigating the case of Ruben Moreno, another member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies who went missing in 2019. Moreno was last seen in December 2017 at a residence used by the group in Claremont, prompting joint investigations between Claremont and Redlands police departments.
Officers have not publicly stated whether foul play is suspected in Moreno’s case but acknowledge that the links to His Way Spirit Led Assemblies suggest patterns worthy of deeper inquiry.
Arrests and Evidence Seizures
In a series of law enforcement operations this August, police served multiple search warrants across Hemet, Anza, Colton, and Laguna Hills. These searches recovered firearms, digital devices, and other evidence that could be pivotal to investigations spanning weapons offenses, missing persons, and potential criminal conduct within the group.
While Darryl Martin and his wife were the most high-profile arrests, two others were also detained on weapons charges, though some individuals have since been released pending further action.
Impact on the Community and Wider Concerns
The developments surrounding His Way Spirit Led Assemblies raise broader concerns about cult-like organizations and their potential for exploitation or abuse. The tragedy of Timothy Thomas’s death, the disappearance of multiple adults linked to the group, and the uncovering of illicit firearms create a troubling picture of extended suffering and danger.
Local communities and authorities are increasingly vigilant, seeking to ensure that vulnerable individuals are protected and that justice is pursued thoroughly.
This unfolding saga, marked by renewed investigations and law enforcement efforts, serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities in addressing crimes connected to secretive or insular religious groups, reflecting the challenges victims’ families and police face in seeking truth and accountability.In Colton, California, police have reopened investigations and are reviewing new leads related to the death of Timothy Thomas, a 4-year-old boy who died in January 2010 while under the temporary custody of leaders from the religious group His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. This group, based in Hemet, has recently come under heightened scrutiny following the arrests of its leaders amid investigations into multiple missing persons cases.
Timothy Thomas’s Tragic Death
Timothy Thomas died from natural causes linked to a ruptured appendix while in the care of the religious group. Although police initially sought involuntary manslaughter charges against Timothy’s guardians for alleged neglect in seeking medical care, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office ruled there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. At the time, custody had been temporarily transferred from Timothy's birth parents to the leaders of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies.
Arrests and Weapons Seizures
In August 2025, authorities arrested two key leaders of the Assemblies group: Darryl Muzic Martin, 57, and his wife Shelly Bailey “Kat” Martin, 62, who was released shortly after due to a medical episode. They were charged with possession of illegal weapons, including fully automatic rifles and untraceable “ghost guns.” The arrests came as part of an investigation into the May 2023 disappearance of Emilio Salem Ghanem, a former group member, who vanished after leaving a Starbucks in Redlands. The Redlands Police Department is treating the case as a potential homicide.
During searches of properties linked to the group in Hemet, Anza, Laguna Hills, and Colton, law enforcement recovered numerous illegal firearms and digital evidence relevant to ongoing investigations.
Other Missing Persons Tied to the Group
The intensified probe into His Way Spirit Led Assemblies also covers the 2019 disappearance of Ruben Moreno, another member reportedly last seen in 2017 at a residence used by the organization in Claremont. Moreno’s disappearance remains unsolved, with local police investigating possible links to the religious group.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Concerns
Authorities are exploring connections among the religious group’s activities, the missing persons cases, and the recovery of illegal firearms. While some arrests have been made on weapons violations, many questions remain, and no further charges have yet been formally announced relating to the disappearances or Timothy Thomas’s death.
The unfolding investigation highlights growing concern over the group's operations and the potential for harm within tight-knit, secluded religious communities.
The Road Ahead
Colton police and other regional agencies continue coordinating efforts to uncover the full extent of alleged crimes linked to His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Families of missing persons and the community at large are awaiting answers, hoping for justice and increased protections against abuse or neglect tied to such groups.
Meanwhile, police affirm their commitment to thoroughly pursuing leads and ensuring accountability for any unlawful actions related to these troubling cases.