GPD Detectives To Give Depositions in Vargas Case
Oct 16 Update | Vargas’ depositions were canceled today, the same day they were supposed to be held.
Updated Sep 18 | Added info on recent case management hearing.
Alleged rapist and Ignite Life Center (ILC) defendant Christian Vargas is scheduled to be taking depositions from several Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers next month.
Vargas was originally arrested on July 19th, 2023, and was released a day after he was arrested on a $40,00 bond.
Vargas is facing two counts of lewd or lascivious behavior for allegedly raping a 12- to 13-year-old girl when he was 16 and sexually coercing a 14-year-old girl when he was 17–18.
The depositions will occur on October 16 at 120 W. University Ave, 32601.
The depositions will begin at 1:00 p.m. with GPD Officer Ranisha Johnson. Johnson previously worked on a case involving child abuse and neglect.
At 2:30 p.m., the court will hear from GPD Detective Desiree Russano. Russano works in cases involving child sexual abuse and once told TV20, “Together, we can identify these predators…. We can stop them.”
At 3:30 p.m., the court will hear from GPD Detective Lindsay Allen. According to the Sky Valor Allen led the case against convicted rapist Justin Krumwiede, who was sentenced to 60 years in a federal penitentiary.
At 4:30 p.m., the court will hear from Sergeant John Pandak. In October 2022, Pandak gave public comment to CBS4 on the arrest of two now convicted human traffickers.
Vargas also had a case management hearing on Monday where his lawyer scheduled another case management hearing for November 18.
Vargas’ co-defendant, alleged statutory rapist Noel Cruz has a case management hearing scheduled for September 24.
The State Attorney’s Office has submitted two Supplemental Discovery Exhibits in Cruz’s case. One is for four GPD case reports. The other is for body camera footage.
Despite being arrested at ILC for crimes he committed at ILC Vargas still attends the church regularly.
GnvInfo first reported this in March after Vargas was spotted in the background of a picture and tilting his head at a sermon.
Vargas has been less discreet lately. In a sermon held on Father's Day he can be seen blatantly in front of the camera.
ILC has been subject to an investigation by GnvInfo. Over two dozen articles can be found on the page below.
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