Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo, a member of the Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) sect, wanted in Guatemala for human trafficking, forcing marriage and abusing children, was arrested in El Salvador and cut off his payis and beard in an attempt to evade arrest. El Salvador police have released footage of him without his facial hair at the time of his arrest.
El Salvador police reported that the relevant authorities are already coordinating his extradition to Guatemala, so that he can stand trial. The suspect was caught trying to enter El Salvador at one of the border points with Guatemala. El Salvador Police did not report the date of the arrest.
A member of the Lev Tahor sect, who spoke to local media on condition of anonymity, said that Castillo's behavior had changed drastically since he joined the cult. He noted that he had become violent, and threatened to kill the children in the cult.
Uriel Goldman, one of the sect's leaders, claimed that Jonathan Castillo was expelled for his behavior, and presented documents to support this. Local media reported that he claimed that other people had tried to join the sect, but were "rejected due to alleged ties to drug trafficking."
Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo, 23, originally came from La Libertad, Colón, El Salvador, but during his stay in Guatemala he joined the Lev Tahor sect after converting to Judaism.
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On December 27, 2024, Interpol issued an international red notice against Castillo, at the request of the prosecutor's office and the Guatemalan National Civil Police. He is suspected of human trafficking, forced marriage and child abuse.
The extremist ultra-Orthodox sect made headlines again on December 20, 2024 when Guatemalan authorities raided the sect's compound in San Rosa, located about 90 kilometers from the Guatemalan capital. The raid was conducted following reports of abuse. At least 160 children and 40 women were rescued from the site, and have since been admitted into a welfare facility.