Pastor Kevin Tzib case reignites attention to sexual allegations involving church leaders

San Ignacio pastor Kevin Tzib has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after appearing in the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court on sexual offence charges. Tzib pleaded not guilty. ASP Stacy Smith provided details of the charges and his court appearance.

ASP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “The incident that account for these charges span over five years between February of 2021 and July of 2026. He was before the San Ignacio Magistrate Court today, whereby the prosecutor objected to bail and bail was denied and he has been remanded to the central prison until his next court appearance. Mr. Tzib pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecution objected to bail and as a consequence of this, bail was denied and he has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison and his next date of adjournment is 21 January 2027.”

Dunamis Ministries has since issued a statement acknowledging the proceedings involving its founder. The church says the allegations are serious and that questions of guilt or innocence must be decided by the court. Its leadership says it will take appropriate administrative measures to protect people within the ministry and maintain services while the case proceeds.

Meanwhile, the UDP’s Alberto August has commented publicly on the case. In a Facebook post, August described Tzib as a “dynamic spiritual leader and prayer master” and said he had been impressed by his preaching. He offered prayers for Tzib, the alleged victims, the congregation and the church’s leadership.  August also wrote that Tzib “might have stumbled and fallen short of the glory of God,” adding, “let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.”

Tzib’s case follows other sexual allegations involving pastors and church leaders in Belize. Some have resulted in convictions, while others have led to charges or dismissal from church and school duties.  In August this year, Toledo pastor Victor Wagner Hernandez, a former president of the National Evangelical Association of Belize, was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a female congregant. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.  Former Jubilee Ministries youth and worship leader Mervin Budram was arraigned in November 2023 on thirteen counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature. Those charges concern alleged incidents between 2004 and 2014. The matter remains pending in the courts.  In another case, Julio Cesar Garcia, described in court reports as a self-proclaimed pastor from Franks Eddy, was convicted of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. His conviction and twelve-year sentence were upheld on appeal in 2016. The Baptist Association disputed his claim to being a pastor.  Former Belmopan Baptist High School principal and pastor Norman Willacey was dismissed in 2012 following allegations involving a sixteen-year-old student and sexually explicit messages. School management said its investigation substantiated the allegations. Two Catholic priests who served in Belize were also removed from ministry following allegations concerning incidents in the United States. Father Oliver Smalls was removed from public ministry here in 2019 after the Diocese of Richmond classified allegations against him as credible and substantiated. He disputed that finding.