Head Pastor's Son Arrested for Coercing Young Girls at Ignite Life Center
Updated: July 24, 4:10 pm
In one month, two people associated with Ignite Life Center have been arrested for committing sexual assault against minors. On July 18th, at 3:20 pm, senior pastor Mark Vega’s son, Christian David Vargas, was taken into police custody at Ignite Life Center. Vargas was arrested and charged with: Lewd Or Lascivious Battery Encourages/forces Person Under 16 and Lewd Or Lascivious Conduct By Person 18 Years Old Or Older.
Although Vega and Vargas do not share the same last name, an anonymous tipper offered direct evidence of their relation in two photos from Vega’s Instagram account. Vega’s account went private a few days after his son’s arrest.
The charge for the first alleged crime involves Vargas and a 12-13 year old girl. Vargas was 16 at the time. Vargas coerced and pressured her into having sex despite the victim telling him “No.” Vargas raped her three times at Ignite Life Center.
The charge for the second crime involves Vargas and a 14-year-old girl. Vargas was 17 at the start of the crime but turned 18 during the interaction. Allegedly, the 17-year-old Vargas told the victim he could have sex with her because he was 17 but would get into trouble once he turned 18.
After Vargas' birthday he still attempted to coerce the victim. He told her that if she engaged in sexual intercourse with him she could not tell anyone because he was now 18. The victim stated that they never had sex although he repeatedly attempted to solicit her while in the church.
Police reports additionally suggest Vargas has a room at Ignite Life Center where he would take his victims. Vargas’ arrest report states he asked one of his victims to meet him in a “special room” in the church.
Ignite Life Center made a public response earlier this month when an individual formerly affiliated with the church was arrested for a similar crime. They have yet to make any public responses to Vega's son being arrested.
On July 24th, at 2:23 pm, I attempted to call the public relations manager and associate pastor, Nicole Gomez, to see if Ignite Life Center had any comments about the arrest of the senior pastor’s son. I did not receive a response.
Update: At 4:00 pm I received a call back from Gomez and asked her if Ignite has made an official stance. She had the following to say.
"We are aware of that situation, we are seeking counsel, since it's under litigation we don't have a comment."
Police Reports:
Copies of the reports are posted and have been transcribed for increased readability.
Charge 1: Lewd Or Lascivious Battery Encourages/forces Person Under 16
Name: Vargas, Christian David
Date Arrested: July 18th, 2023, at 3:19 pm
Current address: 21324 Nw 217th Dr, High Springs, Fl 32643
Place of Arrest: 404 Nw 14th Ave, Gainesville, Fl. ( Location of Ignite Life Center)
Age: 19
DOB: 02/24/2004
Phone: 352-219-7606
Narrative: At the time of the incident the victim was 12 years old. The defendant (Vargas) was 16 years old. Both the victim and Vargas attended the same church. (Ignite Life Center.)
The victim began engaging in sexual intercourse with Vargas when she was 12. The victim continued having sexual intercourse with Vargas when she was 13 years old (2021).
On at least one occasion when Vargas was kissing the victim he asked her to have sexual intercourse repeatedly. The victim recalls she told Vargas “No” but Vargas continued to ask her, not accepting the victim’s “No” for an answer. Finally, the victim, believing she had no choice other than to have sex with Vargas, gave in and allowed Vargas to have sexual intercourse with her.
The victim stated both her and Vargas met up in different areas of the church. The victim stated she and Vargas had sexual intercourse at least 3 times at Ignite Life Center from 2020 through 2021.
Charge 2: Lewd Or Lascivious Conduct By Person 18yoa Or Older
Name: Vargas, Christian David
Date Arrested: July 18th, 2023, at 3:20 pm
Current address: 21324 Nw 217th Dr, High Springs, Fl 32643
Place of Arrest: 404 Nw 14th Ave, Gainesville, Fl. ( Location of Ignite Life Center)
Age: 19
DOB: 02/24/2004
Phone: 352-219-7606
Narrative: At the time of the incident the victim was 14 years old. Vargas was 17 years old but turned 18 years old during his interaction with the victim. Both the victim and Vargas attended the same church.
The victim stated around February to March in 2022, Vargas repeatedly asked the victim to have sexual intercourse with him. Vargas told the victim that he could have sex with her because he was 17 years old but once he turned 18 years old he would get into trouble for having sex with her. The victim understood this to be a way Vargas was attempting to convince her to have sexual intercourse with him at the church.
The victim recalled Vargas would say things to her to convince her to have sexual intercourse because she would tell him no or ignored Vargas’s advances. In one incident while the victim was attending church, Vargas asked the victim to meet him in a special room at the church. The victim met with Vargas. While there Vargas stated to the victim: “ It was normal for teenagers to have sex,” and “It’s okay to be nervous.” Vargas also told the victim “ We can move slow if you want.” The victim stated that she understood these statements were Vargas trying to convince her to have sex with him. The victim stated that Vargas touched her thigh with his hand when trying to convince her to have sex with him. The victim stated she was scared of Vargas and to get away from his advances she lied to him saying she thought she heard someone coming close to where they were and she proceeded to leave the room.
The victim recalled that later on when Vargas was 18 years old, he continued asking the victim to engage in sexual intercourse with him. Vargas told the victim that if she engaged in sexual intercourse with him she could not tell anyone because he was now 18. The victim stated that even though Vargas continually attempted to encourage and solicit her to engage in sexual intercourse with him at the church, she never engaged in sexual intercourse with him.
