Since our last update on January 17, 2026, the Rule 11 competency proceedings against Pastor Isaac Noriega have continued to drag on. The two court-ordered mental evaluations came back with conflicting findings, the court ordered a third neuropsychological evaluation, and the competency hearing has been reset — for the second time — to April 27, 2026.
Here is everything that has happened.
January 26, 2026: Competency Hearing Held — Noriega Again Absent
On January 26, 2026, at 9:58 AM, Judge Mark Hotchkiss convened the competency hearing in Courtroom 386 (Division LF) of Pima County Superior Court.
Once again, Isaac Noriega did not appear.
This continues a pattern. Noriega has now skipped multiple court proceedings in his own criminal case while continuing to preside over Golden Dawn Tabernacle services multiple times a week — preaching for hours, overseeing church operations, and exercising full authority over his congregation.
Present in court were:
- Douglas W. Taylor, Sr., Esq. — Defense counsel for Noriega
- Bradley K. Roach, Esq. — Deputy County Attorney for the State
- Hon. Mark Hotchkiss — Presiding judge
The Two Evaluation Reports
The two court-appointed doctors — Dr. Bradley Johnson (examined Noriega December 10, 2025) and Dr. Sean Flynn (examined Noriega January 7, 2026) — submitted conflicting reports:
- One doctor found Noriega not competent, but restorable — meaning his competency could potentially be restored through treatment before trial.
- The other doctor found Noriega not competent and unrestorable — meaning, in that doctor’s opinion, Noriega cannot be restored to competency.
Defense and State Arguments
Defense attorney Douglas Taylor argued that Noriega should be declared incompetent due to dementia decline, relying on the reports to push for a finding that would halt the case.
Deputy County Attorney Brad Roach, however, pushed back. The State noted — correctly — that Noriega remains actively engaged in leading Golden Dawn Tabernacle, continuing to preach, counsel, and oversee church affairs. Given the clear gap between what the doctors were told and what Noriega is actually doing multiple times a week, the State requested a third evaluation.
The Court Orders a Third Evaluation
Judge Hotchkiss sided with the State and ordered a third, neuropsychological evaluation. The judge further indicated that if the evaluation findings are substantial, the court will require Noriega to appear in person for future proceedings — ending the pattern of remote absences that has defined this case since its inception.
February 5, 2026: Court Resets Hearing to April 27, 2026
On February 5, 2026, Judge Hotchkiss issued an In-Chamber Criminal Order Regarding Rule 11 Competency Hearing, formally resetting the next competency hearing.
From the order:
During a Competency Hearing held January 26, 2026 this Court ordered that a third examination take place and that the examination be a neuropsychological examination. Due to the examining doctor’s availability and to allow sufficient time for a report to be completed and provided to the parties, IT IS ORDERED RESETTING the Competency hearing set on March 23, 2026 to April 27, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Division LF.
The order was cc’d to Douglas Taylor, Brad Roach, the Clinical Coordinator, Court Community Relations, Court Services – Criminal, the Pima County Jail, and Pretrial Services.
March 4, 2026: Defense Files Motion to Continue
On March 4, 2026, defense attorney Douglas Taylor filed a Motion to Continue 3/23/26 Review Hearing. The motion stated that the neuropsychological evaluation was scheduled for March 20, 2026, and that the written evaluation from the doctor would not be available before the March 23 hearing date. The motion confirmed that Deputy County Attorney Brad Roach had no objection and that the Defendant waives time occasioned by the motion.
Between the February 5 order and the March 4 motion, both the court and the parties are now aligned on the April 27, 2026 hearing date.
Upcoming: April 27, 2026 Competency Hearing
The next — and potentially pivotal — date in the case is:
Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM Pima County Superior Court, Courtroom 386 (Division LF) Judge Mark Hotchkiss presiding
At this hearing, Judge Hotchkiss will review the neuropsychological evaluation from the third court-appointed doctor, alongside the prior reports from Dr. Johnson and Dr. Flynn, and determine whether Noriega is competent to stand trial.
The hearing is open to the public. We strongly encourage anyone who is able to attend.
Based on the judge’s remarks on January 26, if the neuropsychological findings are substantial, Noriega himself will be ordered to appear in person — likely for the first time since his initial appearance in July 2025.
Case Status Summary — Isaac Noriega
| Case Number | CR20252710-001 |
| Defendant | Isaac Noriega |
| Charges | False Report – Child Abuse/Neglect (Class 6 Felony); False Report – Child Abuse/Neglect (Class 1 Misdemeanor) |
| Original Judge | Howard Fell |
| Rule 11 Judge | Mark Hotchkiss (Division LF) |
| Prosecutor | Bradley K. Roach, Esq. |
| Defense Counsel | Douglas W. Taylor, Sr., Esq. |
| First Evaluation | Dec. 10, 2025 – Dr. Bradley Johnson |
| Second Evaluation | Jan. 7, 2026 – Dr. Sean Flynn (between the two doctors: one opinion incompetent/restorable, one incompetent/unrestorable) |
| Third Evaluation (Neuropsychological) | March 20, 2026 – Results pending |
| Next Hearing | April 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Pima County Superior Court, Courtroom 386 (Division LF) |
Update: Jose Mora Indicted on New Felony Charges in Separate Case
Golden Dawn Tabernacle congregant Jose Mora, 58, has been indicted a second time on felony child sex crimes — this time in a separate criminal case stemming from allegations by a third victim, identified in court records as M.M. (whose story we covered when Marcello came forward to the Arizona Daily Star in September 2025).
This new case is CR20260731-001, which runs in parallel with his existing case, CR20251749 (where he is accused of abusing two other former Golden Dawn boys, Philip and Jonathan Santos).
The New Indictment
On February 12, 2026, the 348th Pima County Grand Jury (348-GJ-163) returned a Direct Indictment against Mora on two Class 2 Felony counts — both formally designated as Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) under A.R.S. § 13-705:
COUNT ONE: Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child — A.R.S. § 13-1417
- Alleged period: June 8, 1999 through January 1, 2002
- Allegation: Mora engaged in three or more acts of sexual abuse with M.M., a minor under fourteen years of age, over a period of three months or more.
COUNT TWO: Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under Fifteen — A.R.S. § 13-1405A
- Alleged period: March 1, 2002 through September 1, 2002
- Allegation: Mora engaged in sexual intercourse with M.M. by putting his penis in M.M.’s anus.
These charges track with what Marcello told the Star in September 2025: that Mora molested him hundreds of times in the pews of Golden Dawn Tabernacle as Pastor Noriega preached, with Mora hiding the abuse beneath his blazer, and that in 2002 Mora raped him at another congregant’s home when they were left alone.
The Prior Conviction Allegation
On the same day as the indictment, Deputy County Attorney Tai Summers filed an Allegation of Prior and/or Pending Conviction under A.R.S. § 13-703.
That filing alleges that Mora will have been convicted of the offenses in his original case (CR20251749) — three counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under Fifteen and five counts of Molestation of a Child — prior to conviction in the new case. If any of those convictions do not qualify as “historical prior felony convictions” under A.R.S. § 13-105, the State will use them to enhance Mora’s sentence under A.R.S. § 13-703 and § 13-3419.
In plain English: the State is stacking the cases strategically. If Mora is convicted in the original case first, those convictions will be used as sentence enhancers in the new case, significantly increasing his exposure.
Warrant, Arrest, and Custody
On February 13, 2026, Judge Danielle J.K. Constant issued an arrest warrant for Mora on the new charges with a $100,000 secured appearance bond. Mora was served with the warrant on February 17, 2026, at 12:20 PM by a Pima County Sheriff’s Deputy — Mora was already in custody at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on the original charges, so the warrant was served in-facility.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office filed an Initial Appearance Recommendation classifying Mora as:
- A risk to the community, due to “the inherent nature of the offense(s)” and an alleged “sexual preference for young minors”
- A risk to reoffend, citing “aberrant sexual preference for young minors” and pending similar charges
- A flight risk, because he faces mandatory prison time and sex offender registration
Initial Appearance and Arraignment
Mora had his initial appearance on February 17, 2026 before Judge Michelle Metzger. Standard release conditions were imposed (no contact with victims, no contact with minors, stay 1,000 feet from schools/daycares/parks, no firearms, no alcohol), but he remained in custody.
Mora was formally arraigned on February 24, 2026 in Courtroom 380 before Hon. Catherine V. Monro. Attorney Derek W. Miller appeared on behalf of Carter J. Santini of the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, who has been appointed as Mora’s counsel on the new case. A not-guilty plea was entered on Mora’s behalf.
Case Assignment and Next Hearings
The new case has been assigned to Hon. Kellie Johnson, Division 26 — a different division from Mora’s original case. Two hearings are scheduled:
- Case Management Conference: Friday, March 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Division 26
- Pretrial Conference: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Division 26
The April 27 Convergence
By coincidence — or perhaps not — April 27, 2026 is now a remarkable day on the Pima County Superior Court calendar for Golden Dawn Tabernacle:
- 9:00 AM, Courtroom 386 (Division LF): Isaac Noriega’s competency hearing before Judge Hotchkiss.
- 9:00 AM, Division 26: Jose Mora’s pretrial conference before Judge Johnson.
In two different courtrooms, on the same morning, the pastor and the congregant accused of abusing children in his pews will both have their cases advance.
Case Status Summary — Jose Mora (New Case)
| Case Number | CR20260731-001 |
| Defendant | Jose Mora (DOB 8/18/1967) |
| Grand Jury | 348-GJ-163 (Indicted Feb. 12, 2026) |
| Charges | Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (A.R.S. § 13-1417) – Class 2 Felony / DCAC; Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under Fifteen (A.R.S. § 13-1405A) – Class 2 Felony / DCAC |
| Victim | M.M. (a minor under 14 at the time of the alleged offenses) |
| Alleged Time Frame | June 1999 – September 2002 |
| Judge | Hon. Kellie Johnson (Division 26) |
| Prosecutor | Tai Summers, Deputy County Attorney |
| Defense Counsel | Carter J. Santini, Pima County Public Defender |
| Bond on New Charges | $100,000 secured appearance (in addition to existing bond on CR20251749) |
| Custody Status | In custody at Pima County Adult Detention Center |
| Next Hearings | Case Management Conference – March 27, 2026, 9:00 AM; Pretrial Conference – April 27, 2026, 9:00 AM |
What This Means for Mora
Mora now faces a total of 10 felony counts across two separate Pima County Superior Court cases:
- CR20251749 (original case): 5 counts of Molestation of a Child + 3 counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under 15 — based on allegations by Philip and Jonathan Santos.
- CR20260731-001 (new case): Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child + Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under Fifteen — based on allegations by Marcello (M.M.).
All ten counts are either Class 2 Felonies or fall within the Dangerous Crimes Against Children statutory framework — the most serious classification Arizona law provides for offenses against minors. Under A.R.S. § 13-705, DCAC convictions carry mandatory minimum prison sentences, and multiple counts run consecutively rather than concurrently. If Mora is convicted on even a fraction of these charges, he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
What This Means
The central contradiction at the heart of Noriega’s case has not changed. It has, if anything, grown starker.
On one hand, Noriega’s attorney is in court arguing that he has dementia so advanced that he cannot understand the nature of the proceedings against him or assist in his own defense. Court records reportedly state that he has “late phase mild stage dementia, currently progressing into moderate stage dementia.”
On the other hand, Noriega continues to stand in the pulpit at Golden Dawn Tabernacle multiple times a week, delivering hours-long sermons, leading communion services, overseeing church finances, and making pastoral decisions affecting hundreds of congregants. He has been directing the affairs of the church, including his own legal defense strategy, which the congregation has been asked — indirectly — to fund.
The State has now successfully raised this contradiction in front of the court, and the court has responded by ordering a third, more rigorous neuropsychological evaluation. The judge has also signaled that Noriega’s days of court absences may be numbered.
Meanwhile, the criminal proceedings against Jose Mora continue to advance — and expand. A separate grand jury has returned a new indictment. A third victim’s allegations have now been formally charged as Dangerous Crimes Against Children. The State has filed prior-conviction allegations designed to ensure sentence enhancement. Two public defenders are now working across two separate cases. The full story of what happened inside the walls of Golden Dawn Tabernacle is moving, slowly but steadily, toward the public record.
We will continue to cover both cases as they develop.
How to Attend
Both hearings take place on the same morning at Pima County Superior Court, 110 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ. Both are open to the public.
Isaac Noriega — Competency Hearing
When: Monday, April 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Where: Courtroom 386 (Division LF)
Judge: Hon. Mark Hotchkiss
Case: CR20252710-001
Jose Mora — Pretrial Conference
When: Monday, April 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Where: Courtroom 475 (Division 26)
Judge: Hon. Kellie Johnson
Case: CR20260731-001
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Noriega es un hombre poseido por satanás.
Lo.puedes ver en su rostro.
El esta completamente cuerdo de su mente.
Como puede un hombre que se dice que esta incompetente, destruir familias?
En el caso de Rebeca Garrido y Victor Garrido, quien abandonó su hogar por consejo de issac noriega,
Dejando desolada a la esposa y los hijos, solo porque ya no asisten más a la asamblea.
El único que siguió asistiendo fue victor, que usando una narrativa mentirosa para acusar falsamente a su esposa,diciendo que ella lo.abandono desde hace meses y que se fue a California, y por lo tanto La Iglesia lo ” rescato” del abandono y soledad.
Esta narrativa se le dice a la iglesia para justificar la llegada de victor a las casitas de alrededor de la iglesia, que por sierto va a pagar 400 dls mensuales,
Y como un hombre con demencia puede regalarle a su nieto Tito una casa de 700mil dls?
Es una vergüenza y desgracia ser miembro de esa asamblea, los varones que deberían proteger a sus familias de este monstruo.
Se han convertido en afeminados, llenos de miedo, y lo peor, maltratandó de sus familias…
Podemos ver el caso de Joseph Samaniego, Quien con arma en mano amenazo a su esposa e hijos, poniéndosela en su propia cabeza
Grasias a este sitio Web. Jovenes han salido de esa secta, que esta completamente quebrada, su derrumbe se aproxima, y todos esos padres irresponsables, y cobardes saldrán corriendo como maricas.
Hoy por hoy, la congregación sobrevive emocionalmente alimentándose de chismes maliciosos unos de otros, y su tema favorito hablando de los que han tenido lo que ellos no pueden, tener VALOR para salir.
Porfavor alguien podría inventar alli en la asamblea una doctrina en contra de mascar chicle?
Noriega y Samaniego parecen viejas mitones mascando de esa manera!!! Que asco!!!
Wow! That was inspired my guy. Can’t imagine anyone following up with anything. This is truth.
Gonna keep praying God wakes these people up.
Going forward when Isaacs says God told me such and such i’m going to believe it 100% since he’s claiming he has dementia
…. Because since his faculties are hollowed out he probably ain’t lying when he says “God told him” 🙄
Makes sense
La mala fama de GDT, es su peor juicio.
Ahora Issac tendra que mandar “ofrendas” mas sustanciosas a sus compadres predicadores, …
Viejo maricon, como todos los Noriega.
Son una verguenza y un vituperio para El Evangelio, no quisiera estas en sus zapatos a la hora de morir.
Poreso tiene tanto terror a la muerte.
Vamos hnos, hagan algo bueno en su vida, por sus familias….SALGAN DE ALLI…..
Sacudanse ese espiritú afeminado, y tengan por primera vez en su vida valor!!!
Sus hijos se los agradeceran en el futuro.
Pero se comprende que aquellos a quienes les gusta abusar y ser abusados, nunca lograran siquiera pensar en salir.
Que aburrido…🙄
Es grasioso y lastimoso como hombres miembros de esa iglesia GDT, abedecen a su pastor que tiene una mente decrepita…..
Y declarado por el mismo delante del juez con demencia
Increible!!! hasta donde llega el miedo, y hombres perder su hombría y sus valores delante de este viejito lleno de mañas, lo mas tormentoso es cuando realizen que fue en vano toda su obediencia y su fidelidad a este abusador, algunos dieron su vida, su dinero, sus familias, su tiempo su dignidad, su libertad Todo !!!
Por un hombre que los atormenta, los abusa, los roba, los humilla, …😩😭…
Señor Dios todopoderoso, te ruego les des valor y fuerza para defender a sus familias y salir de alli sin perder un minuto mas, en tu nombre presioso, En El Nombrede JESUCRISTO, AMEN