Gainesville, FL - The 55-year-old lead pastor of Ignite Life Center in Gainesville was arrested on November 24 for allegedly failing to report child sexual abuse within his church and for trying to block others from doing so. The arrest follows a sworn complaint detailing years of misconduct and alleged institutional cover-ups.
Ignite Life Center Pastor Arrested in Child Sex Abuse Cover-Up Case
Mark Anthony Vega, who also serves as a chaplain for the Gainesville Police Department, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of failure to report child abuse. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 12.
Allegations Stem From 2019 Bus Trip
According to court documents, the first abuse incident dates back to 2019, when Ignite Life Center’s school ministry traveled by bus to Kentucky. During that trip, 26-year-old ministry student Gabriel Hemenez allegedly sexually assaulted a 22-year-old student who was sleeping. When the victim reported the assault, church leaders convened several meetings, during which Hemenez initially described the encounter as consensual.
In 2023, Hemenez admitted that he told leadership soon after the trip that it had not been consensual. The victim left the school after leadership allowed Hemenez to remain and did not appear to face any discipline. Vega allegedly told the victim he would handle the matter, but never reported the assault to authorities.
Summer Camp Abuse and Church Leadership Involvement
Hemenez later served as a youth leader during the church’s 2021 summer camp, where he stayed in bunk-room housing alongside children. The complaint alleges that Vega and other leaders involved in planning the camp were aware of Hemenez’s past misconduct but still placed him in close proximity to minors.
Investigators say Hemenez sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy during the camp and used vapes as part of a grooming process. In late 2022, the boy disclosed the abuse to his brother, Nicholas Bruce, who was also a ministry leader and related to one of Hemenez’s earlier victims. Bruce contacted Vega, believing he would act appropriately, but discovered that Vega had never reported the original 2019 incident. Vega then told Bruce to “investigate and report as he saw fit,” according to the complaint.
Additional Allegations Against Church Leaders’ Sons
The complaint also links Vega’s 17-year-old son, Christian Vargas, and the 20-year-old son of another pastor, Noel Cruz, to separate abuse cases involving teenage girls from the church. Investigators say the abuse occurred in a secluded area on church grounds known as “the furnace,” where students often gathered unsupervised.
One girl reported that Vega encouraged the families of the accused and victims to forgive one another and later assigned her “restoration” sessions with him when he learned she was cooperating with police. Both Vargas and Cruz were later arrested—Vargas in July 2023 for the abuse of two girls, and Cruz in February 2024 for one.
Previous Convictions Linked to the Case
Following Bruce’s report to local law enforcement, Hemenez was charged and found guilty in March 2024 of molesting a person between 12 and 16 years old. He is currently serving a five-year prison sentence followed by eight years of probation and must register as a sex offender.
Ongoing Investigation
Vega remains out on bond as the investigation continues. Prosecutors say his failure to report led to years of unchecked access to children for known offenders within the church. The Gainesville Police Department has not commented on whether Vega’s role as a department chaplain will be affected during the proceedings.
Florida Attorney Explains Legal Consequences for Pastors Who Conceal Child Sex Abuse
When faith leaders fail to report child sexual abuse, the damage extends far beyond the victims. Florida sexual abuse lawyer Michael Haggard shares how state law addresses mandatory reporting violations by pastors and what legal avenues survivors can take when trusted church leaders choose silence over accountability.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: When church leaders conceal child abuse, how does Florida law handle that?
Michael Haggard, Esq.: Florida law is very clear. Anyone in a position of authority who knows or has reasonable suspicion of abuse must report it immediately. Failing to do so is not just unethical—it’s a felony. The law doesn’t allow clergy to hide behind internal resolutions or private investigations.
Banville: What rights do victims and their families have in these cases?
Haggard: Survivors have the right to seek justice through both the criminal and civil court systems. While prosecutors handle the criminal side, victims can also file civil lawsuits against the individual offenders and institutions that enabled the abuse through negligence or inaction. These cases often uncover how systems meant to protect children failed them.
Banville: If a pastor or religious leader tries to stop others from reporting, does that change the case?
Haggard: Absolutely. Interfering with a report or discouraging someone from coming forward can lead to additional charges. It also strengthens the civil case against the organization. Officials and institutions must understand that silence protects predators, not children.
Legal Help for Survivors
Survivors of sexual abuse and their families deserve answers, justice, and protection from those who failed to act. If a church leader or institution ignored reports of child abuse, legal options may still be available. Contact our team today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights and take the next step toward accountability.
