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Pastor Isaac Noriega's competency has been evaluated by outside experts three times. The first two split on the question of whether Noriega could become competent, and the third, a neuropsychological evaluator, made no recommendation as to whether Noriega could become competent. 

"The law is very clear that unless there's clear and convincing evidence that he cannot be restored to competency, then he shall be placed into a restoration program," Pima County Superior Court Judge Mark Hotchkiss said. "I do not believe based on the state of the reports, most notably Dr. (Marisa) Menchola's (neuropsychology) report that there is clear and convincing evidence that he cannot be restored to competency."

Noriega, 83, is charged with one felony and one misdemeanor for failing to report child sexual abuse by a member of the church he founded, Golden Dawn Tabernacle, 301 E. Los Reales Road. 

That member, Jose Mora, has been charged in two cases with 10 felony counts of child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor, and continuous sexual abuse of a child. 

The charges in both cases resulted in part from a 2024 51������/Lee Enterprises investigation in which Mora publicly admitted to touching an 11-year-old boy's genital area, and former church members said that Noriega knew of sexual abuse by Mora but did not report it.

Both men have pleaded not guilty. The parishioner, Mora, remains in jail, while the pastor, Noriega, has always remained out of custody.

Golden Dawn Tabernacle, also known as Tabernaculo Emanuel, is part of a worldwide Christian sect called The Message that follows the teachings of a 20th-century preacher, William Branham, whom they consider a prophet. Branham lived in Tucson the last few years of his life before dying in December 1965.

Deputy Pima County Attorney Brad Roach said he may provide evidence that Noriega, who has some degree of dementia, has nevertheless been conducting services at the large church. 

"It's been reported to me that Mr. Noriega, up until fairly recently, has been giving lengthy sermons at his church, which seems to me to be in direct contradiction to him being incompetent," Roach said. "What I've not been able to do is to identify anyone who can come to court and testify to that."

Hotchkiss ruled that Noriega is incompetent and should undergo restoration-to-competency, but left the door open to hearing that possible evidence. He set a new hearing for July 27.