Courts on Camera: Judge Denies Defense Attorney’s Motion and Orders Arrest of Pastor’s Son
Editor’s Notes: The courtroom video contains some cuts as the records division redacted information regarding Christian Vargas’ medical issues.
On May 21, Christian Vargas, 22, and his attorney Gilbert Schaffnit appeared in court for a motion to quash his new warrant.
Vargas currently faces three separate criminal cases for lewd/lascivious behavior. Police reports describe him sexually abusing girls between the ages of 12 and 15 while he was between the ages of 16 and 18 at Ignite Life Center Church (ILC).
Vargas was arrested and charged as an adult for two of the cases in 2023, while he was charged in the third case in 2025 within juvenile court. Earlier this year, Vargas’ third case was transferred to felony court, prompting him to be arrested again and post bond a second time. Vargas then failed to appear at his arraignment, prompting Judge Robert Groeb to revoke his bond and set a new bond at $500,000. A few days later, Schaffnit made a motion to quash the new warrant and reinstate the old bond.
Vargas's bond for his first two cases totaled $40,000 while his bond for his third case was $250,000 until it was revoked.
Vargas' father, Mark Vega, faces a count of failing to report suspected child abuse while serving as senior pastor at ILC. Vega was arrested in November 2025 and is out on a $50,000 bond.
Vargas was accompanied by his mother Lisa Vega and Nicholas Bruce, both high-ranking members of ILC. Bruce is related to the Vegas. Carlos Galindo, another member of ILC, was also present.
Rodney Long, the bondsman on Vargas’ cases, was present in court in favor of the motion.
Before the hearing began, Schaffnit engaged in a cordial conversation with Assistant State Attorney Lua Lepianka. Schaffnit quipped that he felt it would be better if Vargas’ mother were present than his father.
The hearing was heard before Judge Robert Groeb, who is the judge on Vargas’ other cases, as well as Vega’s case.
Groeb asked if the warrant was executed, and Schaffnit affirmed it wasn’t but that Vargas was wearing an ankle monitor.
Schaffnit indicated that the reason for the delay in Vargas’ first two cases is because they found out about the third case.
Schaffnit said when he was notified the third case may be filed, he told Vargas and/or his family that he would file paperwork eliminating the need for an arraignment.
Schaffnit advised that he went out of town and that Vega, who has no travel restrictions, also went out of town. Schaffnit said in the meantime, notice came through for Vargas’ arraignment and that his failure to appear was “just oversight.”
Schaffnit added that Vargas has been attending medical appointments at the University of Florida due to his “rather significant scoliosis issue.” Schaffnit said Vargas previously had surgery where he was fitted with spinal rods and that his condition has deteriorated.
Schaffnit continued, “We may be approaching the court about consolidating [the three cases],” indicating he’s working toward a plea deal with prosecutors. Schaffnit said now that the third case is active, they’ll “continue [their] negotiations with the state once [they] complete the necessary [depositions] on the new case.”
Lepianka said she “suspected there was a misunderstanding” at the time of the arraignment in how Schaffnit hadn’t yet filed a notice of appearance when they had discussed the case “several times.”
Lepianka said Vargas received notice to appear. She told Groeb that if he were considering granting Schaffnit’s motion, she would ask that Vargas be ordered to hand over his passport and agree to not leave the continental United States.
Lepianka said she has been told there’s been a lot of travel to “various places such as Puerto Rico and some Latin American countries, which has raised some concerns about fleeing.”
Vargas was permitted to travel to New York twice in 2024, but he doesn't appear to have done any air travel since then.
Vega has done a lot of traveling since he’s been on pretrial release. In February, he traveled to Brazil, appearing for a live-streamed sermon and helping promote the Brazilian branch of the Ignite School of Ministry.
The following month, Vega went to Puerto Rico, his social media showed.
As of May 7, Vega was in New York in correlation with his work as a pastor at ILC, Schaffnit told the court when he filed the motion.
It’s unclear if Vega has returned to Gainesville, and his full travel itinerary is unknown.
Schaffnit told Groeb, “The family has been traveling, but Christian has not, and of course the ankle bracelet monitor would confirm that. He does have a passport. He would certainly be willing to surrender it per the state’s request and be restricted in travel.”
Schaffnit said that due to the policies of the State Attorney’s Office, they’ve tried not to depose certain individuals to make sure they can approach the prosecution with an offer.
Lepianka said she wouldn’t be against consolidation of the cases, particularly if there’s a plea offer.
Groeb said he understands an “administrative snafu” but that the age of the cases bothers him.
Groeb said the warrant would stand and that he’d leave the bond at $500,000.
Groeb's order prompted deputies in the courtroom to take Vargas into custody.
Deputies patted down Vargas and placed him in handcuffs. Vargas was then transported to the Alachua County Jail, where he still remains.
