Residents urge Abilene officials to investigate alleged abuse and deaths at faith-based homes

Two members of the public used the council’s public comment period to urge Abilene officials to investigate and shut down faith-based residential programs they described as abusive and dangerous.

Bambi Pew said two women recently left what she called a “Bridal Discipleship Home” and recounted allegations including emotional abuse, forced labor, restricted contact with family, and physical and sexual abuse. Pew said residents were required to perform punitive tasks — including scrubbing an outdoor brick wall with a toothbrush for “days, weeks, sometimes even months” — and alleged that residents were forced to clean up the scene after a murder. Pew identified a man named Matthew (referred to in the meeting as Matty or Matthew Fouse/Faust) who she said was murdered in his sleep at a men’s home and said students were made to clean his blood.

Pew said she sought justice “for every victim” and urged council to “shut this code down once and for all,” naming Rice/Grace RISE homes and referencing “Ray Sandoval” (named by the speaker in the record) in criticizing leadership of the homes.

Eddie Pugh, another public commenter, echoed those concerns, calling the homes “RISE homes” and accusing operators of permitting murder, abuse of minors, human trafficking and other crimes. Pugh claimed the Abilene Police Department and district attorney had covered up the death of Matthew Fouse and accused a local police public information officer of lying in a news release; he called for the city to take action and said he would not stop pressing the issue.

Council did not take action on these public comments during the meeting. The city’s public comment instructions provided that no votes or formal actions occur in the public comment period. No staff presentation or council directive about investigating the allegations was made on the record at the meeting.

Council staff and police representatives were not recorded responding to the allegations during the public comment period captured in the meeting transcript.

Speakers during public comment identified several items as alleged: two additional deaths at the men’s home, forced and punitive labor, restrictions on contact with family, and alleged sexual and physical abuse. Those are accusations made by commenters; the council did not verify or adjudicate the claims during the meeting.