The National Civil Police of Guatemala (PNC) confirmed the reception of Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castilloalleged leader of the sect Lev Tahorwho was delivered by the authorities of El Salvador this June 19, 2025.
Cardona is accused of abuse against minors, rape and Trafficking in peoplecrimes for which he will face judicial processes in Guatemala.
The Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) Salvadoran explained that Cardona was delivered to the Guatemalan authorities after verifying that he had no pending processes in that country.
The diligence was carried out in the Fifth Court of Peace of San Salvadoras part of international cooperation between both nations.
Who is Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo?
Cardona Castillo, 23, is originally from El Salvadorbut resided in Guatemalawhere it became one of the religious leaders of the Lev Tahor secta group known for their lifestyle Ultraortodox and for being linked to multiple Complaints for sexual abuse, violence and forced marriages.
His name arose as one of the main suspects in the investigation initiated in August 2024 by the Prosecutor against Trafficking in Persons of the Guatemala Public Ministry (MP)after several minors reported to be victims of sexual abuse and abuse within the community located in Santa Rosa.
His capture on the border and interpol alert
Cardona was arrested December 30, 2024 in it Chinamas border postin the department of Ahuachapán, El Salvadorthanks to a Interpol Red Notification issued at the request of the Guatemalan authorities.
SECTA Lev Tahor expelled him, according to his own leaders
Uriel Goldman, another leader of the Lev Tahor sect, said Cardona was Community expelled for their violent behavior and behaviors contrary to group standards. According to Goldman, he signed official documents that certify his departure.
A member of the sect, who asked for anonymity, explained that Cardona “started well in the community, was very dear, but then began to be violent.” He also commented that the Salvadoran had tattoos and I would have confessed to having belonged to a Salvadoran gang. “He threatened the children and they for fear said nothing,” he said.
Goldman added that he has not been the only one expelled: other people of Central American origin have also been rejected with alleged links with the drug trafficking.
Operational in Guatemala and Rescue of Minors Lev Tahor
He December 20, 2024Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 minors In a farm in the municipality of Oratory, Santa Rosa.
The operation was the result of multiple Complaints for alleged physical, sexual and psychological abuse committed within the Lev Tahor community.
During that procedure they also found human bones Within a box, which increased suspicions about the acts committed within the enclosure.
He December 23and after a failed attempt to recover the minors due to the resistance of the members of the sect, the authorities managed to relocate them in the Alida Spain shelterwhere they were under the protection of the State.
Background of the Lev Tahor case in Guatemala
The sect Lev Tahorwhose name in Hebrew means Pure hearthas been indicated by promoting Forced marriages among minors, irregular adoptions, sexual abuse and a closed structure that hinders state supervision.
From the beginning of the investigation, the MP documented how community members lived in a farm of 88 thousand 667 square meters located at kilometer 94.5 of the route to El Amatillo. The property housed winery type structures adapted as bedrooms, kitchens and common spaces.
The trigger for the case was the Four minors escape on November 11, 2024who related to the authorities the living conditions within the sect and the abuses to which they were subjected.
From their testimonies, arrest warrants against several members were issued, including Cardona Castillo.
Others involved and capture leaders
He January 2, 2025the Salvadoran police announced the capture of Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo for the crimes already mentioned. Later, the January 13the Rabbi Eliezer Rumpler46, on the border between Guatemala and El Salvador, under an international order issued by Israelwhere faces accusations of Child abuse.
In addition, the Guatemala National Police (PNC) commissioner, Manuel Salvador Aldana Monzónsuspected of having leaked information to the sect to facilitate the Evasion of Justice by their leaders.
Chronology of the Lev Tahor and Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo case
- August 2024: The Guatemala Public Ministry begins an investigation against the sect Lev Tahor by sexual violation of minors, Forced marriages and irregular adoptions.
- November 11, 2024: Four minors manage to flee of the community in Santa Rosa and denounce the abuses suffered, which activates the arrest warrants.
- December 20, 2024: Guatemalan authorities rescue 160 minors Age In a Santa Rosa estate, after multiple complaints of abuse.
- December 22, 2024: Members of Lev Tahor try to extract the minors of the shelter, generating tension with the security forces.
- December 23, 2024: The authorities, with court order, They recover minors And they relocate them in the shelter ALIDA Spain.
- December 27, 2024: Interpol activates an international red alert against one of Lev Tahor’s leaders.
- December 30, 2024: Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo is captured in the border post of The ChinamasAhuachapán, El Salvador.
- January 2, 2025: El Salvador Police officially announces your capturepointing it to violation, trafficking with people and child abuse.
- January 13, 2025: The Rabbi Eliezer Rumpleraccused of Child abuse in Israel.
- June 19, 2025: Cardona Castillo is delivered to Guatemala By the Salvadoran authorities, after confirming that he had no pending processes in that country.