Ignite Life Center Head Pastor's Son Arrested Again

Update | June 1: Added further information on Christian Vargas' criminal charges and added reference to the civil lawsuit against Vargas.

At approximately 8:54 a.m. this morning, Christian David Vargas, 22, was booked into the Alachua County Jail on a warrant for lewd or lascivious battery.

Vargas was originally arrested in July 2023 on one count of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of lewd or lascivious conduct. One of the police reports describes him sexually coercing a 14-year-old girl when he was between the ages of 17 and 18. Another report describes him repeatedly sexually abusing a 12-13-year-old girl when he was 16. Vargas told police she was his "girlfriend."

Lewd or lascivious battery is generally defined as Florida's statutory rape law, although one of the reported crimes aligns with rape, stating Vargas continued after the victim said "No." The charge description on his police report describes him as "[encouraging/forcing]" the 12 or 13 year-old victim, and the arrest narrative states the victim "gave in" because she felt she "had no choice."

Under the statues Vargas is charged with, any sexual activity with a minor is considered a violation regardless of "consent," as the law recognizes children can't consent.

Vargas was released shortly after his arrest upon posting a $40,000 bond.

In 2025, Vargas was hit with an additional charge of lewd or lascivious battery in juvenile court, however, the case was transferred to felony court last week. A warrant was subsequently issued, with Judge Robert Groeb ordering Vargas to be held in jail on a $250,000 bond.

Vargas' defendant information sheet shows his new case is for a third victim.

Vargas also faces a lawsuit for a civil count of sexual battery.

Vargas is the son of Mark Vega, who is currently out on a $50,000 bond regarding his own criminal case for failing to report suspected child abuse while serving as the head pastor of Ignite Life Center.

A search of the Alachua County Jail booking log indicates Vargas has already bonded out just hours after his arrest, as he is not among the list of inmates as of around 11 p.m. this morning. This is similar to Vega's arrest, as he also bonded out the same day he was booked into jail.

Vega has a case management hearing scheduled for May 11.

Vargas has case management hearings in his initial two cases scheduled for April 20.

Update | April 9: Vargas has an arraignment in his new case scheduled May 4.