Mark Vega Travels to Brazil and Puerto Rico While on Pretrial Release
In November 2025, Mark Vega was arrested for failing to report suspected child abuse while serving as the head pastor of Ignite Life Center (ILC) Church. He was released the same day of his arrest after posting a $50,000 bond.
ILC is connected to Assembleia de Deus Nova Aliança (Adna) Central, with pastors from the Gainesville congregation traveling to preach at the Cuiabá, Brazil-based church a few times over the past few years. ILC started a Brazilian branch of the Ignite School of Ministry at Adna Central.
In mid-February 2026, Adna Central posted five live streams for their “Ignite Conference” (which have been downloaded in case of deletion). The sermons clearly and overtly show Vega preaching to Brazilian youth in February 2026. The livestreams are clearly marked as occurring in February 2026.
On March 12, 2026, Vega made an Instagram story post that would indicate he was in Puerto Rico. The location is clearly identifiable as the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge.
Vega’s full travel itinerary is unclear.
About a week ago, GnvInfo attempted to contact Assistant State Attorney Lua Lepianka, the prosecutor in Vega's case, but it’s unclear if she received the email.
Yesterday, GnvInfo contacted Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Derry Lloyd, who said the prosecutor was out of office Monday, March 23. Lloyd advised that he will follow up with her and that he isn’t sure if “the judge ordered the Def [(Vega)] to limit travel or stay within the county/state.”
In the case involving Christian Vargas, Mark Vega's son, he was granted permission to go to New York twice in 2024 while on pretrial release for sex crime charges. However, before traveling, his attorney had to file a motion to travel out of state. No such motion was filed in Vega's case.
Vega’s current whereabouts are unknown.
Update: Earlier this evening Lloyd advised that Vega has "no travel restrictions listed" and "no order from the court preventing travel."
Editor’s Notes: The Feb 2026 Ignite Conference contains hours upon hours of footage. A separate article relating to the multi-day event will be uploaded at a later date.
