Former member of Inland Empire religious group tied to 2 murders recounts his escape from the organization

HEMET, Calif. () — A former member of a mysterious religious organization whose leaders are now facing murder charges is now speaking out about his time in the group.

Anthony Duran, who said he escaped His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in 2019, said at times, he feared for his life.

“If you messed with the pastors, your whole life would be over,” said Duran, referring to Daryl and Shelly Martin, who are now facing murder charges.

Shelly Martin, along with church leader Rudy Moreno, are charged with the murder of Emilio Ghanem, 40, who was reported missing in Redlands in May 2023. Ghanem’s body has yet to be found.

Shelly Martin is also charged with the murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas in 2010, who died from appendicitis.

Daryl Martin is also charged with the boy’s murder. Police say Thomas suffered for days, and the Martins refused to get him medical attention.

“They don’t really believe in doctors,” said Duran. “Whenever you get hurt, all they do is pray over you, and say God will fix you.”

Duran said his family joined the organization in 2016. He said they would worship at their rental location inside a Rialto strip mall, speaking in tongues and dancing around the room.

“I’d get goosebumps,” said Duran. “You felt like electricity was running through your bones. It was very weird, and I never felt anything like it.”

Duran said he and other church members were forced to live in group homes, and work at the church’s business Fullshield, a pest control company.

“The purpose of Fullshield was to fund the pastors and the ministry,” he said.

Duran said he began to see church leaders exert control over its members during his time at Fullshield. He said they were paying him $12 an hour for his work, and they prohibited him from seeking other jobs.

“What he told me was, ‘You live with the church. The church takes care of you, and you don’t need any extra money. God gives you everything you need.'”

Duran said church leaders then forced his entire family to endure a 45-day consecration inside their Rancho Cucamonga home.

“We were only allowed to eat sleep and pray,” said Duran. “We weren’t allowed to have our phones, we weren’t allowed to watch TV, have electronics or have contact with anyone outside of the house.”

It was around that time that Duran said he plotted his escape from the church. He said he knew it meant perhaps losing contact with his family forever, but said it was a choice he knew had to be made.

He decided to leave on a night in January 2019 when his family was going on a dinner cruise with church leaders.

Duran remembers clearly saying goodbye to his mother that evening, for what only he knew would be the last time.

“I told her, ‘I love you, and that was it,” said Duran. “I left and didn’t talk to her again.”

Six years later, Duran said his father and older sister have left the church, but his mother and younger sister remain with the organization.

“Honestly, I would call it a cult,” said Duran. “They won’t let you leave, and you can’t have any thoughts for yourself, or make decisions for yourself.

“It’s based on what the pastors tell you. And if you don’t listen to the pastors, there are repercussions. They will make your life literally a living hell.”

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