Overview
- Savala, 70, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of continuous trafficking of persons and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Prosecutors said he abused two boys in a backyard sauna after telling them to undress, and court records show their father was present and now faces a pending case.
- The conviction follows a 2012 Alaska plea in a child sex abuse case, after which he regained influence in Chi Alpha circles and was hailed by some pastors as “Papa Daniel.”
- The Assemblies of God says it warned Chi Alpha leaders in 2018 and later dismissed several ministers tied to him, while whistleblowers say church leaders ignored years of alarms.
- Related cases and probes are ongoing, including charges against former Baylor Chi Alpha leader Christopher Hundl and expected proceedings in Harris County, as survivors describe lasting harm.