Alleged Sexual Abuse Victim Sues Chi Alpha and Assemblies of God
Plaintiff, who is blind, claims Daniel Savala abused him for five years.
A new lawsuit has been filed against Chi Alpha Campus Ministries and the General Council of the Assemblies of God by a plaintiff using the pseudonym John Doe for the sexual abuse he claims to have suffered at the hands of Daniel Savala.
Sam Houston State University, where the plaintiff attended college during years of alleged abuse / Photo via social media
Savala has been at the center of controversy and at least one other lawsuit involving Chi Alpha. He has been a registered sex offender since 2013, having pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in 2012 in Alaska.
The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court, also names the South Texas District Council Assemblies of God and Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Huntsville as defendants.
The plaintiff, who is blind, claims in the court filing that Savala was placed in a “powerful religious position” by the defendants. Having been given access to the plaintiff while a student at Sam Houston State University, Savala is accused of grooming him and then forcing him to perform sexual acts.
The lawsuit claims the sexual abuse of a disabled person began in 2017 and continued through 2022 while Savala was allegedly touted as a “prophet” and “religious leader who would guide plaintiff’s religious journey.”
“Using language from the bible, Savala lured the Plaintiff into a sense of goodwill and cooperation that was sexually motivated,” the court documents assert.
Instead of protecting the plaintiff, the defendants failed him while receiving a benefit, it adds.
“Rather than stop this known sexual abuse, Defendants created a perfect haven for Savala to sexual[ly] abuse people, including Plaintiff John Doe,” the lawsuit reads.
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The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to properly investigate Savala’s background and warn of the dangers he posed.
The lawsuit also asserts the defendants are responsible for the acts of their agents falling under their supervision.
Additionally, a claim of gross negligence by the defendants for the “heedless and reckless disregard for the safety” of the plaintiff was included.
The lawsuit also asserts a claim under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code for “damages arising from the trafficking” of the plaintiff.
Plaintiff John Doe is seeking damages in excess of $1 million for physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and attorney’s fees.
In September 2023, Savala was indicted in McLennan County for indecency with a child and trafficking of persons under age 18.
In Harris County, Savala was charged with indecency with a child and sexual assault of a child between age 14 and 17. On Feb. 27, he was charged with indecency with a child, according to FOX26 Houston, and his next court date set for March 20 for a bail hearing.
