Los Angeles "Pastor" Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Murder

Posted On
08/11/2008

Los Angeles "Pastor" Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Murder

The Los Angeles Times reports that seven members of a “Christian” biker gang called the Set Free Soldiers, including their pastor, Phil Aguilar, 60, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and are each being held on $1-million bail. Three members of the Hells Angels are also in custody. I wonder if the Biblical injunction to go into every man’s world, went a bit too far in this instance. What do you think?

This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 10:09 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Rosalind Campbell

I lived at one of the ‘homes’ in the early 90′s. It was just the experience I needed. I wasn’t abused, neglected, disrespected by Pastor Phil. One thing you all should realize…the ‘type’ of people who Pas deals with are not the kind that like rules…many off the streets, addicts, just out of prison…The rules and control had to be strict. I didn’t have a dollar to my name at that time and I was taken in. Pas and Set Free did for me what Jesus what have done. Whoever criticizes that should be ashamed of themselves.
Rosalind Campbell

God bless you Pas!…and thanks for everything you’ve ever done for me. I’ll never forget the day that I showed up at Set Free in Anaheim..you were standing there…and said, ‘come on in!’…May God continue to bless you. ~Ros
liliana urueta

i have been looking for the church set free for years i came from anahiem set free ministries sinced they moved i lost tuouch but i would like to pick up where i left off with set free i am an old friend off set free from ananhiem please contact me at 562-360-8657 my name liliana urueta u can text me with the new info home adress .

Thank you,
Liliana Urueta
Elizabeth Conley

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-set-free-2121202-hells-angels

First and foremost, it's a complex case.

It appears that the current police strategy is to throw charges about liberally, and see what sticks and what leverages the truth out of the antagonists and their associates. Most of the people involved appear to be lying. Because impulse control problems, stupidity and extreme egotism almost surely contributed to the debacle, there's a good chance the truth will get out eventually.

When engaging in ministries designed to reach out to criminals, it is important to understand the criminal mindset. It boils down to one thing: extreme selfishness. This is true for white collar criminals as well as petty thieves and violent offenders. Throw in impulse control problems and ignorance, and you've got a recipe for constant "drama". If you're not totally in control, the inmates run the asylum. Then every ministry event is like the Jerry Springer show. This is very exhausting, and if you don't simply get worn down, you may get hurt. Even if it seems like you're on top of things, you're always vulnerable to the extreme volatility of your flock. Things can seem fine, then in a split instant the situation becomes dire. It would take a book the size of Webster's dictionary to explain all the factors that contribute to this pattern. If you keep in mind the extreme selfishness that characterizes the criminal mindset, then "the rest is commentary".

Knowing all that, I find it hard to condemn anyone as of yet. Let's see where the investigation leads.
T. Dyer

I live in Newport Beach Ca, I am a woman 58 yrs old. Two/ three yrs ago I stayed in one of the homes that was raided with this group. Needing a temporary place to stay a friend that use to baby sit for Pastor Aguilar and his wife took me to his house. I wa allowed to stay … and did for more than a month. It takes a strong leader to take on this job. Phil Aguilar does this and does it well. No one else that I know wants the job. Newport Beach cops like to do this sort of thing. Rush to judgment with the charges. Looks good on paper… but when the truth comes out this will be a small thing. Sorry people got hurt, that should not have happened. But , I just know, pastor phil did not attempt to murder anyone. Just did not happen… And I am sure this will all come out. I lived there… I went to his house twice a day , morning and night and saw him and his wife and fami;y daily. Something is out of order here… the truth will come out. Twyla in newport…
Bart Breen

Can a book deal be far behind?

"Killer Evangelism!"
breaklight

Now that is a killer statement for a killer idea!!!
Lizzie

I’ve known Pastor Phil since 1990. I’ve was saved through his ministry and lived in one of his “homes” for almost a year. I was never abused. I was never “brainwashed”. I was never treated like garbage. I was treated with the utmost of respect. Always. There were a lot of people (men) within his ministry that “didn’t get the message” and treated their wives with total disprespect and abuse. But that was not the teachings of the church. People in the home who lied and were living there for 3 hots and a cot, rather than to get their lives straight, didn’t like the rules. They weren’t unreasonable rules. But some people don’t like rules. And I’m sure anyone above saying negative things about that ministry were probably in that category. Otherwise they would be grateful for the opportunity they were given and the grace that was shown to them. (FYI, it didn’t cost me a penny to live there! So no, he wasn’t after my money!)

Larry, Pastor Phil would not hate you. If he hated people who were against organized religion, he’d have a pretty small congregation and a pretty unsuccessful ministry, seeing that the majority of the people he ministered to felt the same way as you. Reaching out to the lost and giving them food, shelter, and the word of God, is not organized religion. Read the Bible. It’s what Christians are called to do.

The above is hogwash. God bless Pastor Phil, his family, and may his ministry continue for years to come.
Coalinga

I lived at Set Free Ministries for 2 years. I would not know anything about Jesus without this ministry and man of God. I don’t know what happened here but I know Pastor Phil is one of the godliness men I ever met. He did not have room for the soul looking to change he Made room. Set Free was not a street gang or out to murder anyone. Please pray for him and his family who love the LORD and sinners. That is the truth! And that is all I believe! God Bless
Set Free and all of the people he has helped!!
Coalinga

I lived at Set Free Ministries for 2 years. I would not know anything about Jesus without this ministry and man of God. I don’t know what happened here but I know Pastor Phil is one of the godliness men I ever met. He did not have room for the soul looking to change he Made room. Set Free was not a street gang or out to murder anyone. Please pray for him and his family who love the LORD and sinners. That is the truth! And that is all I believe! God Bless
Set Free and all of the people he has helped!!
http://www.setfree.org Phil Aguilar

I am glad to see I am so important for people to talk about me. It amazes me how much people say about me when they have no clue what I am all about. I am availible to ask questions, spout your beliefs or to hear my side of the story on life. The most important thing I want you to know about me is I love Jesus. I know it’s only me making the statement, but that’s all I got to work with. Much love to everyone in the bloggers world. Your friend Pastor Phil Aguilar

SPIKESAUTOMOTIVE

PHIL, I LIVED ON THE RANCH BACK IN THE LATE 1980′s WHEN MY DAD WAS DYING OF BONE CANCER. LATER, I LIVED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION IN THE NEW LIFE PROGRAM.
BEFORE I WENT TO RIVERSIDE TO LIVE AT THE RANCH, I BROUGHT MY DAD TO ONE OF YOUR REVIVALS AT SOME KIND OF OUTDOOR FOOTBALL STADIUM, I’M PRETTY SURE IT WAS IN ANAHIEM.
MY FATHER WAS A RETIRED MARINE, & WAS ONE OF THOSE KIND OF MEN THAT HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY IF HE “LIKED” A PERSON, OR NOT.
HE NEVER ACTUALLY GOT TO “MEET” YOU PERSONALLY, BUT RIGHT AFTER THE REVIVAL, HE TOLD ME HE LIKED YOU, WHO YOU ARE, & WHAT YOU WERE DOING FOR PEOPLE.
HE WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN FROM THAT BONE CANCER, BUT HE WAS ALSO IN PAIN BECAUSE I WAS A CRACK COCAINE & CRYSTAL METH ADDICT, & THAT WAS HURING HIM THE MOST.
IT WAS WITH HIS BLESSING I WENT TO THE RANCH, OR I WOULD HAVE NEVER WENT THERE.
I DID WIND UP SHAKING YOUR HAND A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT YOU PROBABALY DONT REMEMBER ME, SINCE I KNOW YOU MUST INTERACT WITH SO MANY ALL THE TIME.
YOU WERE ALWAYS COOL TO ME.
BUT THE FACT MY DAD LIKED YOU, THAT SAID ALOT TO ME, ESPECIALLY BACK THEN.
MY DAD HAS SINCE PASSED AWAY IN 1993, BUT TO LET YOU KNOW, I DID MAKE IT.
I LIVE IN FLORIDA NOW, MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN WIFE, WITH 4 WONDERFUL CHILDEREN.
I NO LONGER USE DRUGS.
I HAVE 2 BUISNESSES HERE CALLED SPIKES AUTOMOTIVE, & SPIKES BIKES, “FROM HOT-RODS TO HARLEYS, WE DO IT ALL !” IS OUR MOTTO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR ME WHEN I WAS DOWN.
THANK YOU FOR THE RANCH, & THE CROSS THAT WAS TO
THE NORTH OF THE CAMP.
I LEFT ALOT AT THE FOOT OF THAT CROSS.
WHEN I FINALLY GET A CHANCE TO VISIT CALIFORNIA WITH MY FAMILY, I WANT TO LOOK YOU UP & SHAKE YOUR HAND AGAIN.
FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS,
I HOPE ALL IS WELL.
THOMAS “SPIKE” McALEAR

Pamelaredfeather

My Dad Mom and my siblings were some of the oridinal 20 or so people that originally made up Set Free Christian Fellowship in Anaheim, Ca on Brookhurst. He did time with my dad in Chino and my Dad ran with Phils whole family growing up. We got caught up in th church. It went from a humble congregation to what felt like a Cult Concert Show every Sunday….It was rumored Pastor Phil was sleeping with woman of the congregation….while his wife Sandra just sat back and indulged and served her husband. While all along the city of Anaheim continues to give him Homes to house the homeless and recovering drug addicts after they did some time out at the ranch a place in the dessrt where they sobered up. He used these people like his servants, and he used the people in the church with money to keep him and his family in the lap of luxury..Buying lowrider cars, motorcycles. It just became more and more like a Jim Jones thing as time went on. I even attended his private christian school. Based out of a home with some drop out teacher or volunteer I guess. It really looks like Phil and his family have used people to obtain worldly goods and fortune. They look menacing, Jesus didn’t have to look like the people he tried to save he just went as himself. Pastor Phil and his family go around looking like gangster thugs their going attract the kinds of people and events that lead up to people losing their lives, and probably someone else doing time for Phil or one of his family members…..Hard to believe this guy is the ex-brother in law to Rene from Biggest Loser and Biggest Loser Michelle is hi Niece Daughter to Mel (Phil’s Brother)
Loriloveslife

Yes they went too far and far too long. It s NOT the TRUTH!
The justice system has many of errors, its not the first or last time.
Diana Packwood

The Bible says Christians are persecuted.
Arresting Phil Agular is MORE proof in the pudding Christians are indeed persecuted.
May God have mercy on those responsible for this fiasco.
Diana Packwood
Bart Breen

Hmmm.

How would the logical construct on that argument look?

The Bible says Christians are persecuted.

Phil Agular is being persecuted.

Therefore Phil Agular is a persecuted Christian.

(Sounds oddly familiar to the defense raised by some televangelists when some dare to suggest that they're not above being called to account for their bahvior or lack of accountibility within their organizations.)

I don't know based on the media account whether Phil is being persecuted unfairly or not. I don't imagine that everyone who claims their actions are motivated solely by love for Christ is telling the truth however.
pa sugartoes

i say justice was done. he should still be in jail or better yet SAN QUENTIN.
Bryan

I personally know Pastor Phil and I used to be a member of his other motorcycle ministry called the Servants for Christ, I quit when they all became Set Free Soldiers. Not because I had anything against the Soldiers, just because it wasn’t my thing. Anyway, I can say from experience that I have seen peoples lives transformed at Set Free Ministries. I have seen homeless people become productive members of society, I have seen people that have addicted to drugs and alcohol their entire lives give it all up and become Christian. I have seen families restored. Set Free Ministries is a legitimate church and Pastor Phil is a legitimate Pastor. He gives all the glory to God, which is appropriate since it is the love of God and salvation through Jesus Christ that is actually changing lives. It is said at Set Free that we go where the pizza man won’t go, and that is true! I don’t know what Pastor Phil was doing in a bar, but it might have to do with his Christian outreach, reaching out to the people that need it the most, like at bars or in the streets, is what Set Free is all about. The news and the Police said a lot of untrue stuff about Pastor Phil and the ministry, I was amazed at the lies that were told to sell a story. Anyway, glory to God and my prayers are with Pastor Phil and his family.
Larry

I searched for God and found something. The minute I decided to try out organized religion my world fell apart. If I were to meet Pastor Phil, I all ready know that he would hate me instantly. Most of my ties with religion got me in trouble spiritually. I have problems with Christians who seem they think they have to fight the Devil in oreder to get to heaven. I still believe in God but my support goes out to the Hells Angels.
the monk of the TrueSchool

I lived with Pastor Phil in Eco Park for a while when he was running a highly honourable ministry bringing gang members of the street. Nobody who knows him would ever speak of him like you Larry !

All of his sacrifices doing the right thing would not even make sense if your presumptive allegations were right.

Last, but not least Pastor Phil is not part of “organized Religion” and probably the least religious person I`ve ever met. He has helped me big deal breaking out of the religious prision I was raised in.

By the way Pastor Phil and his explosive ministry was the centerpiece of the world famous “Dream-Center” in La in it`s first years. Probably the whole reason why the “LAIC” became so unique – always wanted to say that

out
Samoan Dave

bunch of Haters, so who’s casting the first stone….jus as I thought were all sinners, but not all saved, get to know who your talking about, and I bet he leads you to Christ.. Take a llok in the mirror and stop the Judgement. You people are to much..
patty

we are not haters, we just see a cult leader at his best. how much of your money does he demand? i stayed in his ministry home in Anehiem and saw abuse. he is a woman hater, and wants to control every aspect of people lives. he teaches his “pastors” that women are evil. i sat in a womens Bible study and all we were told by his wife that we are in denile and dont deserve Gods love. women in his ministry are abused and treated like garbage. but he has them brainwashed as well so they will continue to put up with it. my messege to the women in his ministry….RUN!!! DIVORCE YOUR BRAINWASHED HUSBANDS AND DUMP YOUR BRAIN WASHED BOYFRIENDS. YOU AS WOMEN HAVE FREEDOM IN CHRIST. EXERCISE THAT FREEDOM AND LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!!
patty

this man is a dangerous cult leader. any respectable community would not want this creepy circus freak to set up his “church”. he is abusive and unChrustlike. he is full of himself and its all about him and NOT Jesus. if you see this monster in your neighborhood…RUN HIM OFF WITH A SHOT GUN!!!
pa sugartoes

this jerk is dangerous and wants your money. If he leads you to Christ, it will cost you. he is a cult leader and has all his followers brain washed. he calls his outlaw biker scum “men of God”. he gets his wealth by people who want to follow him and they are dumb enough to be led by the nose. if you see this devil in your neighborhood shoot first, then call the cops.

Phil Cooke

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Los Angeles "Pastor" Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Murder

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