Investigation into Ruben Moreno disappearance and possible connection to Emilio Salem Ghanem murder
A fifth person was arrested by February 13, 2026, in connection with murders linked to the "cult-like" Inland Empire group, which is also under investigation for the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moreno. As of February 13, 2026, the investigation into Moreno's disappearance and its potential link to the murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem has seen significant developments, with five arrests made. Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 12, 2026, and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Ghanem's death, following the December 2025 arrests of Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin and Rudy Moreno on similar charges. Emilio Salem Ghanem, last seen on May 25, 2023, in Redlands, California, had his burned pickup truck found in the Mojave Desert on August 1, 2025, with evidence indicating a homicide. Both Moreno and Ghanem were connected to the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group, whose leader, Darryl Muzic Martin, was arrested on December 12, 2025, for Ghanem's alleged murder.
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Track this story2026
3 updates
2026
3 updatesAs of February 2026, a fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the "cult-like" Inland Empire group. The investigation into the disappearance of Ruben Moreno and its potential link to the murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem has seen significant developments. Ruben Moreno was last seen in February 2017 and officially reported missing in August 2019.
via pingmer.com
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the cult-like Inland Empire group. This expands on previous reports of three arrests.
via latimes.com
Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Emilio Ghanem's death, becoming the third suspect arrested in the case.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
2025
6 updates
2025
6 updatesShelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin, a leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Rudy Moreno (Ruben Moreno's brother), a prominent member, were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Emilio Ghanem's case. Shelley Martin was also charged in the murder of a 4-year-old boy in 2010.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
Darryl Muzic Martin, the leader of the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem. The group is also under investigation for the disappearance of Ruben Moreno.
Claremont Police stated that the investigation into Ruben Moreno's 2017 disappearance has "heated up."
Redlands police served a search warrant at a Hemet home connected to the religious organization, recovering evidence related to Ghanem's investigation and arresting two individuals on unrelated charges.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
Emilio Ghanem's rented Nissan Frontier pickup truck was found abandoned and burned in the Mojave Desert, with unspecified evidence inside indicating a homicide.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
Redlands Police Department announced new leads in Emilio Salem Ghanem's disappearance and revealed a connection to Ruben Moreno's case, stating both men were tied to His Way Spirit Led Assemblies.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
2023
1 update
2023
1 updateEmilio Salem Ghanem, a former member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, was last seen at a Starbucks in Redlands, California. He had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, but was in California to open a satellite office for his pest control business. His family last heard from him by phone that evening.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
2019
1 update
2019
1 updateRuben Moreno's family officially reported him missing to the Claremont Police Department.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
2017
1 update
2017
1 updateRuben Moreno was last seen in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was 40 years old at the time and affiliated with the religious group His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. He was living with other members of the group at a residence in Claremont.
via charleyproject.org·people.com·cbsnews.com·youtube.com·claremont-courier.com
Story began · 9 years, 2 mo ago