A legally blind Sam Houston State University student identified only as John Doe has filed a lawsuit against church and campus organizations over allegations of being sexually abused by a known sex offender affiliated with these groups, according to court documents obtained by FOX26 Houston. Daniel Savala, the accused, is alleged to have used his role as a spiritual leader to manipulate and abuse young men with the knowledge of various campus leaders.
The lawsuit names The General Council of the Assemblies of God, South Texas District Council Assemblies of God, Inc., Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, USA, and Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Huntsville, per the court documents. The alleged abuse started in 2017 when Doe started visiting Savala's home for mission trips with Chi Alpha Huntsville. Despite Savala's history of sexual misconduct, which dates back to 2012, leaders within the organization are accused of promoting him as a "savior and angel,' according to the lawsuit details shared by ABC13.
The plaintiff's attorney, Anjali Nigam, claims the victim suffered abuse at the hands of Savala, who used religious context to "normalize the sexual abuse" and even coined phrases like "nudity is unity" to validate his actions, ABC13 reported. Savala's criminal background includes a plea to one charge related to sexual abuse in Alaska in the 1990s which led to a 90-day prison stint and registration as a sex offender.
Savala has been charged with multiple offenses, including Indecency with a Child - Sexual Contact, and Sexual Assault of a Child between 14 and 17-years-old, as well as a February charge for Indecency with a Child - Exposes. He is currently scheduled for a bail hearing on March 20. Eli Gautreaux and Eli Stewart, both ordained pastors and directors in the Chi Alpha organization, reportedly defended Savala, and Scott Martin, Executive Director of Chi Alpha USA, was named in the lawsuit for taking no action despite being aware of a Title IX investigation involving Savala's activities at Sam Houston State University. Doe is seeking damages amounting to $1 million. The involved universities have not yet responded to the allegations, according to the reports from ABC13.
