Former Sovereign Grace Ministries Employee Nathaniel Morales Has One Conviction and Ten Year Sentence Set Aside – New Trial To Start February 28, 2022

“I don’t believe your insatiable appetite for boys can be cured.  Your wires are permanently twisted.  Your conduct has had a profound and lasting deleterious effect.  A long sentence is the only way to adequately punish you, protect society from you and deter other potential boy molesters. …  You can’t even bring your despicable self to admit your crime.  So, you hide behind your phony self-diagnosis of amnesia.  Mr. Morales, you are one pathetic human being…a cowardly pervert.”
Judge McGann – Addressing Nathaniel Morales at his sentencing, 8/14/2014.


“Nathaniel Morales was convicted on four counts of sexual abuse and three counts of sexual offense in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland on May 15, 2014.  He was sentenced to 40 years on August 14, 2014 by Judge Terrence McGann.  Morales filed a notice of appeal the next day.  Last month [June 2016], the Maryland Court of Special Appeals vacated (i.e. dismissed, set aside, overturned) one judgement and two sentences against him.”
-Brent Detwiler

This decision by the Appeals Court removed ten years from Morales’ forty year sentence.

[Note from editor – The following information adds details to Morales’ abusive behavior and was taken from a court document filed in 2016. More on that later.]

In 1979, at age 21, the appellant [Nathaniel Morales] was living in a faith-based group home in the Washington, D.C., area, operated by the New Testament Church (“NTC”). He was working as a minister and “youth mentor” for NTC. D.T. [A victim of Morales] was approximately 12 years old at that time, and also was living in the group home. One evening that year, after D.T. got out of the shower in the bathroom of the group home, the appellant approached him and fondled his genitals.

In 1980, D.T. and other people from the group home, including the appellant, attended a summer retreat at the Peach Orchard Retreat Center in Montgomery County. D.T. became ill during the retreat and remained in the dormitory. The appellant stayed with him. At some point, D.T. “passed out,” but awoke upon being sexually stimulated. Although D.T. could not recall whether the appellant had touched him, he did recall that the appellant’s face was near his genitals when he woke up. Thereafter, D.T. left the group home to live with his mother and siblings.

According to Brother Wayne Pratt (“Brother Wayne”) of the NTC, the appellant was an “ordained worker” who was “very involved in youth activities” and was responsible for running the NTC retreats. At some point in the early 1980s, Pastor Don Spires, NTC’s senior pastor, approached Brother Wayne and asked him to speak with D.T. about allegations of abuse by the appellant. Brother Wayne spoke to D.T., and reported back to Pastor Spires. Thereafter, the appellant was excommunicated from NTC.

After leaving NTC in the early 1980s, the appellant was hired by CLC as a gospel singer and aide in the youth ministry. He began teaching at MCCA in the fall of 1989, and was vice-principal of MCCA from 1990 to 1991.

In 1990, the appellant contacted Brother Wayne and told him that he was teaching at the Montgomery County Covenant Academy (“MCCA”). He invited Brother Wayne to interview for a science teacher position. After the interview, Brother Wayne spoke to the appellant privately and asked him whether he had told the administrators at MCCA about his history of sexually abusing D.T. The appellant replied, “I have told the principal about everything.”

[Note from Editor – Montgomery County Covenant Academy (MCCA) was not a part of Sovereign Grace Ministries but many children from Covenant Life Church attended MCCA after completing Grade School at Covenant Life Elementary School, which was owned and operated by Covenant Life Church. MCCA was lead by Thurlow Switzer, a man reportedly close with both C.J. Mahaney and Larry Tomczak.]

Here is the complete decision by the Appellate Court:

Former Covenant Life Church… by Todd Wilhelm

I have heard through a source connected to the Morales case that in case number 2 (123156) Morales was able to get post conviction relief because during the trial the Prosecution mentioned the first trial and Morales’ Public Defender did not object at the time. Records indicate that on May 7, 2021, the entire conviction has been vacated. This means another 10 years has been subtracted from Morales’ sentence, leaving Morales with a sentence of 20 years.

A convict is eligible for parole after 50% of his sentence has been served. Morales was arrested and jailed on October 15, 2012 after a two-year investigation that began October 20, 2009.  The time he spent in jail after his arrest, and before his conviction, counts towards his sentence. That means if nothing changes (Morales is not retried), in 8 months Morales may be paroled.

Initially I heard that the victim was not interested in participating in another trial, but in checking the records (see below) a jury trial is scheduled to begin on February 28th and run through March 2. If anyone is interested in attending the trial it will take place at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Courtroom 8D, North Tower.  Court starts at 9:30 A.M.

From the Archives of Information Sovereign Grace Churches would not like you to see:

Comments

Former Sovereign Grace Ministries Employee Nathaniel Morales Has One Conviction and Ten Year Sentence Set Aside – New Trial To Start February 28, 2022 — 33 Comments

  1. Appeals and post conviction relief: the “monster” (termed by the victims) is working the system.

    The victims have worked with DOJ to keep the monster at bay. The church should have much higher standards than the DOJ. The church doesn’t; the church is wrong.

  2. Ava Aaronson: The victims have worked with DOJ to keep the monster at bay. The church should have much higher standards than the DOJ.

    Remember Boz T?
    In all his years as a prosecutor specializing in child sex abuse cases, he had NEVER seen a church take the side of the victim. Always “RALLY ROUND THE PEDO, BOYZ! GOD SAITH!!!”

  3. Ava Aaronson: Has there ever been a sermon series on perverts in the pulpits?

    Ezekiel had a lot to say about what the priests and elders do in darkness. Some brave prominent pulpiteer needs to preach a sermon series from Ezekiel’s writings/warnings in reference to the abominations in today’s church. Ezekiel 8 would be a good place to start.

  4. “I don’t believe your insatiable appetite for boys can be cured. Your wires are permanently twisted.” (Judge McGann)

    But legal system loopholes are going to turn you loose anyway. Sick and wrong.

  5. I know we are not supposed to judge by outward appearance, but some folks just have a look and countenance which spell perversion … for example, the pic of Morales in this article. Anyone who would ordain such a guy to Christian ministry doesn’t have a lick of discernment.

  6. Max: Anyone who would ordain such a guy to Christian ministry doesn’t have a lick of discernment.

    Problem is, Max, what is Discernment(TM)?
    Originally it meant the ability to see the reality beneath the surface appearance.
    Now it means smelling out DEMONS! and WITCHES! in every closet and under every bed.

    Like PASTOR Greg Locke’s latest stint in the news, claiming Satan sent Six WITCHES to infiltrate his congregation and Destroy His Ministry. Claims he KNOWS their names but won’t tell anybody (shades of Tailgunner Joe McCarthy). His source? A Demon he “was casting out of a woman”.

    I am not making that up. Here’s Julie Roys’ coverage:
    https://julieroys.com/tn-preacher-greg-locke-demons-witches-our-church/

    And he even swears to Go it’s the TRVTH, full “May God Strike Me Dead If I Lie”. Don’t know about you, but I grew up with an NPD younger brother who’s a world-class liar and manipulator. From that experience, EVERY WORD AFTER “I Swear to God” OR “May God Strike Me Dead if I Lie” WILL BE A LIE. EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

  7. Headless Unicorn Guy: what is Discernment

    The ability to judge well, which appears to be scarce in the American church these days. Sometimes, “discernment” is just simple observation – watching and listening carefully. Sometimes, it’s just good ole’ common sense. The folks ordaining Mr. Morales didn’t need Driscoll’s “I can see things” ability, seems to me they just should have vetted him more carefully – hard to believe he just all of a sudden became a church pedophile.

  8. Headless Unicorn Guy: Greg Locke’s latest stint in the news, claiming Satan sent Six WITCHES to infiltrate his congregation and Destroy His Ministry

    The only inaccuracy in this is that, as he is aware, they are not out to destroy it. He is even “honest” about in what spirit he is “discerning” of this. This cynical cover in plain sight (as so many) (and I’ve been too close to them myself several times) is to discredit truth, Christ, Holy Spirit. The real usage meaning of “witchcraft” in the Bible text is conjuring people (without needing to base ourselves on discussions of whether agnostic ones do that).

  9. Michael in UK,

    And the Greek words for “Drugs” and “Witchcraft” have the same root – Pharmakos.

    This was because psychoactive drugs were often used in shamanistic magic workings, so the two got associated.

    Though most of the comment thread went in the “DEMONS ARE LIARS!” direction, I think it’s more likely Locke was making things up. (As I said before, a “Swear to God” claim is usually what prefaces The Big Lie.) After all, he’s personally benefiting from the (unverifiable) claim.

  10. This turns my stomach! The other day I flashed back to the 80’s when I used to drive in Nate’s car to a Bible study that he led. Very lucky for me that he wasn’t into my type! He presented as a very friendly and engaging guy, and didn’t look like a weirdo at all. Years ago I spoke with one of his former roommates at a funeral, and he had gone with Nate to one of the CLC pastors to try and get him some help ( the name of the pastor wasn’t mentioned), but because the church didn’t believe in counseling, nothing was done. So very sad.

  11. Former CLC’er: he had gone with Nate to one of the CLC pastors to try and get him some help (the name of the pastor wasn’t mentioned), but because the church didn’t believe in counseling, nothing was done

    I wonder if said pastor believes in jail?! Obviously, he should have taken this situation more seriously … just as those who ordained Morales to Christian ministry didn’t take the following Scripture seriously:

    “Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others” (1 Timothy 5:22 AMP)

  12. Headless Unicorn Guy: Remember Boz T?
    In all his years as a prosecutor specializing in child sex abuse cases, he had NEVER seen a church take the side of the victim. Always “RALLY ROUND THE PEDO, BOYZ! GOD SAITH!!!”

    Assuming legal counsel has been hired to help Morales and orchestrate this, there is a possibility that Nathaniel Morales has some type of dirt on CLC/SGC Leadership that they don’t want made public. I doubt Morales has the money to hire legal counsel.

    Realize this is only a possibility that I thought of and have no insider information on those.

    What else could Morales share about CLC Leadership past or present that might make them look bad?

  13. “… if nothing changes (Morales is not retried), in 8 months Morales may be paroled …”

    And if that happens, the justice system would abuse Morales’ victims all over again.

  14. Todd,

    Are the prosecutors sloppy? IIRC, TJC won, on appeal, a retrial based on some improper mention of something or other by the prosecution in his trial.

    It would be better if the defense were not given opportunities like this to reverse convictions.

  15. The first SGM lawsuit wrongfully associated MCCA with CLC. MCCA was a Christian school that was affiliated with another church. Thurlow Switzer was the pastor of the other church. If this “Unreported Opinion” is an accurate document, the first breakdown occurred with Brother Wayne and Pastor Spires. Why was a 12-year-old boy living in the group home with adults if he had a mother and siblings somewhere else? Why was Nate Morales, who was a “drifter” put in charge of children’s camps? Does homelessness cause any red flags for anyone? They did the right thing in excommunicating Nate Morales, but they had a moral obligation to contact Thurlow Switzer upon learning that Nate Morales had become a teacher and then Vice-Principal of his school. Had they reported to the police, it would have been on the record for posterity. The next breakdown was Thurlow Switzer. What sort of background check did he conduct before hiring Morales to be his teacher and then Vice-Principal? Who did he call? What sort of credentials did Nate Morales have to be the Vice-Principal of a Christian school? My next question is whether CLC hired Morales to be a gospel singer. As far as I know, CLC never hired people to be singers. And then, how in the world did Nate Morales, who seems to have a long history of homelessness, gain such unsupervised access to children? And, who in the world would EVER think it is right to have the principal of their child’s school sleeping on a couch in the basement with their child? WTF? Did CLC trust Nate Morales because he was the principal of the Christian school, so somehow they thought he had credentials? Did he even have a degree if he was a transient in a group home at 21? Or, did MCCA trust Nate Morales because he was a “gospel singer” at CLC? Who invites a grown man to attend slumber parties of 11, 12, and 13-year-old boys? Why in the world would a grown man want to attend a slumber party with preteens? Who validated Nate Morales so that he gained unfettered access to these boys? Where was the law in all of this? It sounds like the laws were just coming into existence when these crimes went down, so much so that they changed during the events. In the 1980s and before, issues of incest and sexual abuse within a family were often thought of as “family problems” not “criminal problems”. Not only did churches not routinely send perpetrators to the police back in the day, but courts might release a perpetrator to be supervised and counseled by his church. The courts and churches worked together on things like that. Then, who sent Nate Morales to Teen Challenge for homosexuality? Did CLC pay for that? Did he offer to go to avoid being turned into the police? What is that all about? Did the church think his time in Teen Challenge rehabilitated him? Has anyone ever gone back to the students who attended MCCA outside of CLC members to see if they were abused? Have any lawsuits gone after MCCA? MCCA shut down very shortly after this abuse occurred. Thurlow Switzer, you should have been all over this. MCCA employed this man in a custodial setting. CLC actually plays a pretty small part in this whole story. Some of the children of members were molested by the Vice Principal of their private school. Legally, it was on the parents to press charges against their child’s abuser. To some degree, I respect the pastors delaying in reporting if the parents told them their child was not up for that. I would be furious if we told the pastor about our child’s abuse and the pastor took it upon himself to put my kid through the trauma involved in a sex abuse investigation, which many times is worse than the abuse itself. However, some anonymous action should have been take to keep Nate Morales from offending again. Who was supposed to take this to the police? Nate Morales went on to marry and woman and molest all of her boys. Nate Morales was the pastor of a church encouraging homosexuality when he was arrested. How many hundreds of victims are there. I think we all know who should have reported. In hindsight we do. Now we know homosexual predators can have thousands of victims and they don’t stop until someone stops them. It seems like a no-brainer now. But, prior to the 1980’s, sex abuse was never spoken out loud. Never. Regular church-going laypeople had no knowledge of it. Courts handled those things quietly. The news didn’t report it on the evening news. No one mentioned it so as to not reveal the shame of the victims. Now, we know there is nothing to be ashamed of. Now, we know that EVERYONE should have reported Nate Morales. Hundreds of other innocent boys would have been protected. Brother Wayne, Pastor Spicer, the PARENTS, the pastors, the children, Thurlow Switzer. If they heard even a rumor, it should have been reported. Now, if someone would just go after Charles Schmidt for the lives he ruined.

  16. MCCA was presented with the truth about what their employee did to their students.

    MCCA chose to not report the crimes, took no action to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect themselves instead of their students.

    Thurlow Switzer was presented with the truth about what his employee did to the students at his school.

    Thurlow Switzer chose to not report the crimes, took no action to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect himself and his church, instead of his students.

    Covenant Life Church was presented with the truth MULTIPLE TIMES about what a member of their church, who was also a singer on stage, and an adult member of their youth group, did to multiple children, including members of the church, and members of the youth group who were not members of the church.

    Covenant Life Church chose to not report the crimes, took ineffective and laughable actions to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect the church, instead of their members and the children under their care.

    Robin Boisvert, Grant Layman, Chris Glass, were all presented with the truth MULTIPLE TIMES about what a member of their church, who was also a singer on stage, and an adult member of their youth group, did to multiple children, including members of the church, and members of the youth group who were not members of the church.

    Robin Boisvert, Grant Layman, Chris Glass chose to not report the crimes, took ineffective and laughable actions to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect themselves and church, instead of their members and the children under their care.

    IANAL, but there is more than sufficient evidence that multiple people and institutions failed to follow the law. Mandatory reporting exists, and a quick check makes clear that at the very least, by 1993 Maryland had mandatory reporting requirements for sexual abuse. Reports were given to CLC Pastors in and after 1993, and not as requests for counsel, which could trigger a Church privilege… but in request for action and for Nate to be stopped. CLC and the Pastors involved did not report.

    So many people in authority failed so many of us. Our parents believed the CLC Pastors when they said that “they would handle it”, and that we didn’t need to do anything else. Some of the parents were directed by Robin/Grant/Chris to NOT report to the police.

    Nate was truly a wolf in sheep’s’ clothing. He was a masterful liar, and spun a tale of ‘wanting to help be a Godly example to young boys on how to become Godly men’. He knew all the right lines to say to be accepted into church after church, and youth group after youth group. The same lies he told were blindly accepted, without question, by church and school leader after leader, “because he is a Christian”. Blind acceptance, in spite of warning signs. So many failures…

    I still bear the scars of Nate’s abuse, and I will for the rest of my life. Thankfully I had my day in court against him. But I have yet to see any justice for the myriad of so-called “leaders” who put me in harm’s way, and then failed to take action when they learned of what happened. I hold many of them just as guilty, as they allowed Nate to continue to abuse, again and again, ruining life after life.

    Forgive my ramblings. I spoke out after the trial, and then I thought I could move on with my life. But now, with these things happening again, I feel I must speak out again.

  17. Jeremy Cook,

    Thanks for your awesome comment – it was not ramblings. You outlined everything quite elegantly. I realize speaking out is never easy for an individual who has been sexually abused, therefore I highly commend you for doing so multiple times. You are a courageous individual. Thanks again, Jeremy.

  18. Just Saying…: Now, if someone would just go after Charles Schmidt for the lives he ruined.

    Indeed.

    Thanks for your comment. You raised many good questions.

  19. Thanks Dee & Todd – Feel free to reach out to me directly if you want. Happy to answer questions or talk.

    Quick update for all. There will -NOT- be a jury trial on Monday. I have been in contact with staff in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. All jury trials are suspended in MoCo until March 7th (and have been for months, due to COVID). So no need to travel to the courthouse on Monday.

  20. Jeremy Cook: MCCA was presented with the truth about what their employee did to their students.

    MCCA chose to not report the crimes, took no action to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect themselves instead of their students.

    Thurlow Switzer was presented with the truth about what his employee did to the students at his school.

    Thurlow Switzer chose to not report the crimes, took no action to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect himself and his church, instead of his students.

    Covenant Life Church was presented with the truth MULTIPLE TIMES about what a member of their church, who was also a singer on stage, and an adult member of their youth group, did to multiple children, including members of the church, and members of the youth group who were not members of the church.

    Covenant Life Church chose to not report the crimes, took ineffective and laughable actions to stop Nate, and ultimately chose to protect the church, instead of their members and the children under their care.

    Thanks for sharing this sad information. Unfortunately, there is real tendency (probably should use a stronger work) for groups to protect the institution vs. doing what is right. Institutions like CLC and MCCA become idols that one wants to protect at almost any cost.

  21. Jeremy Cook: Quick update for all. There will -NOT- be a jury trial on Monday. I have been in contact with staff in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. All jury trials are suspended in MoCo until March 7th (and have been for months, due to COVID). So no need to travel to the courthouse on Monday.

    The site listing the trial information has slightly changed. This was added:

    Hearing – Plea 02/28/2022 09:30:00 Chambers Calendar Courtroom 8D – North Tower

    I wonder if this means there is a plea bargain or something that may occur?

  22. Steve240: Plea 02/28/2022 09:30:00 Chambers Calendar Courtroom 8D – North Tower
    I wonder if this means there is a plea bargain or something that may occur?

    It very well could, Steve. Since a trial was already scheduled you would think the pedophile already plead innocent. Maybe he has reconsidered and wants to change to a guilty plea.

  23. Todd Wilhelm: It very well could, Steve. Since a trial was already scheduled you would think the pedophile already plead innocent. Maybe he has reconsidered and wants to change to a guilty plea.

    Perhaps a plea bargain with a lower prison sentence?

  24. Steve240: Perhaps a plea bargain with a lower prison sentence?

    Perhaps, but remember this only concerns 1 count of sexual abuse for which he was sentenced 10 years. So I assume that whatever Morales is sentenced for will be added on to the 20.

  25. This morning, Nathaniel Morales agreed to a plea bargain, and plead guilty in case 121365-C in the Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court. Nate pled guilty to this crime, and admitted that he did it, under oath. He was sentenced to a 10-year sentence, to be served consecutively with the sentences in case 121884-C (My case). In the original case and sentences, this case’s sentence was consecutive, not concurrent. Quite simply, the victim in this case did not want to go through another trial, so this plea bargain was developed. This grants time served already against this sentence, such that Morales will be eligible for parole in October 2022.

    If there are ANY victims of Nathaniel Morales who have never had their day in court, NOW IS YOUR TIME! The States’ Attorney is asking for any other victims who are willing to testify against Morales to PLEASE come forward, no matter when or where the crimes occurred, even other states! If we can get other charges pressed, it can prevent parole from being granted! The SA’s office will be engaging the MoCo Detectives to talk to victims and investigate crime reports, as well as coordinate with other jurisdictions to pursue charges.

    If any of Nate’s victims are unsure, or want to talk, PLEASE reach out to me. I am happy to talk to any and all of you, and partner with you in talking to the SA (or not, if you don’t want to). I had my day in court, and got to face my accuser, and it helped me in my healing journey. I am willing to help, as much or as little as you want. Anyone wanting to reach out to me, email me at Another.SGM.Survivor at G Mail dot com

    One important piece of information. In 2017, Maryland passed a law that allows for other charges and convictions of sex crimes to be admissible in a case or hearing, if it goes to establish a pattern of an abuser. My understanding is that this also applies to Parole Hearings, but I am not 100% on that. This law was not in effect during my trial, but would apply to any future cases tried in Maryland. The 2 guilty plea in this case, and the guilty verdict and sentence in my case would be admissible in any new cases against Nate to establish a pattern of an abuser. This is a VERY big deal, especially with Nate pleading guilty under oath today. It could make future cases even easier to bring to trial.