GRAND MOUND (WA)
The Chronicle [Centralia, WA]
September 22, 2025
By The Chronicle staff
Israel Morales Guzman part of leadership at Ministerios Hogar De Fe in Grand Mound area
Israel Morales Guzman, 46, a co-pastor at Ministerios Hogar De Fe located in the Grand Mound area, is awaiting trial for charges of second-degree child molestation.
Morales was arrested July 30 by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies and made a preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court the following day, after which he posted bail in the amount of $50,000.
During his arraignment on Aug. 12, Christopher Taylor, Morales’s defense attorney, entered a not guilty plea on Morales’s behalf. A trial confirmation is now set for Oct. 23, with a jury trial to begin Nov. 3.
Morales faces two counts of child molestation, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines, according to state law. Conviction would require Morales to register as a sex offender. He faces additional class C felony charges.
A pretrial services investigation found that Morales had no previous adult criminal convictions. The Chronicle is limiting information about the case to protect the identities of potential victims.
Charging documents allege that Morales engaged in sexual contact with a child who was, at the time, under 14 years old. The alleged offenses occurred between December 2019 and January 2021. At the time of his arrest, Morales declined to speak with law enforcement.
According to the conditions of release pending trial, Morales is prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victim — along with another individual — and is not allowed to “loiter or frequent any locations where children congregate, including schools, daycares, parks, video arcades, campgrounds or shopping malls.”
The conditions also prohibit Morales from having contact with minors and from being in a position to monitor or supervise minors.
Though it is unclear whether Morales is actively involved with Ministerios Hogar De Fe, a video posted to the church’s Facebook page on Sept. 14 appears to show Morales playing a keyboard during a prayer portion of the service. The exact date of the service was not listed.
Thurston County court records indicate that Morales’s spouse filed for divorce on Sept. 5.