The Nation - News from Oct. 12, 1988
Three evangelists who traveled the Southern revival circuit pleaded guilty in Roanoke, Va., to using their ministry, the Tony Leyva Evangelistic Assn. Inc., based in Columbus, Ga., to recruit boys for homosexual acts. Dozens of boys told investigators they were given money, lodging and gifts in return for letting Mario (Tony) Leyva, Rias Edward Morris and Freddie M. Herring molest them. The plea bargain reduced possible jail time and fines--ranging from $530,000 and 45 years for Leyva to $260,000 and 20 years for Herring--to a maximum 20 years for Leyva and 15 years for Morris and Herring. Each faces fines of $10,000.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
