REDLANDS, Calif. — The 2023 disappearance of a Redlands man has led to the arrest of several leaders and members of a religious high-control group, reopening a second homicide case dating back 15 years and culminating in multiple murder charges filed this week by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
A joint law enforcement operation Thursday involving the Redlands Police Department, Colton Police Department, California Department of Justice, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office resulted in arrests in Hemet and Colton. The suspects are alleged members of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, authorities said.
The arrests stem from two ongoing investigations. The first involves the alleged murder of Emilio Ghanem, 40, who was reported missing in May 2023 after he was last seen at a Starbucks in Redlands. That investigation is being handled by the Redlands Police Department with assistance from the California Department of Justice and California Highway Patrol.
The second investigation concerns the alleged 2010 murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas and is being handled by the Colton Police Department.
Authorities also made additional arrests related to firearms discovered during the investigation.
Shelley Bailey, also known as “Kat” Martin, 62, identified by investigators as the group’s leader, and Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested for their alleged involvement in Ghanem’s death, along with various weapons-related charges.
On Monday, Dec. 15, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Martin and Moreno related to Ghanem’s death. Both were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Martin was also charged in the 2010 death of Timothy Thomas, along with Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, and former group member Andre Thomas. All three were charged with murder.
“The recent arrests connected to the disappearance of Mr. Emilio Ghanem represent the persistence and dedication of the Redlands Police Department’s investigators and our law enforcement partners,” Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said in a statement.
She said the investigation, which began after Ghanem was reported missing in May 2023, led to the arrests of two suspects on murder charges and four additional suspects on related weapons charges.
“I also wish to extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Ghanem’s family and friends,” Tolber said. “They have faced an incredibly difficult situation as this case has moved from a missing person to a homicide investigation.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the Department of Justice’s Special Operations Unit played a key role in the investigation.
“Today, I am thinking of Emilio Ghanem’s family and friends, and the pain they have endured since he went missing over two years ago,” Bonta said. “The California Department of Justice is proud of our Special Operations Unit’s contributions to this complex investigation.”
At the time of the arrests, victim advocates from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Victim Services and crisis response K-9 teams were present to assist members of the group with food, water and information about additional resources, authorities said.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim or who has information related to the cases is asked to contact the Redlands Police Department at missingperson_emilio@redlandspolice.org or 909-798-7614, or the Colton Police Department at detective@coltonca.gov or 909-370-5019.
