Brother Tony's Boys: The Largest Case of Child Prostitution in U.S. History: The True Story [Hardcover]

Mike Echols (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996

For over 25 years, charismatic Pentecostal evangelist Brother Tony Leyva used Christianity, the Bible, and his status as an "annointed prophet of God" to gain access to, seduce, and sexually assault the young sons of his enthralled followers in 23 states. How could such heinous acts continue undetected for over two decades? "Brother Tony's Boys" peels back the multiple layers of this twisted evangelist's double life to answer this and other bone-chilling questions. Read the riveting true story of how Leyva brought his old-fashioned hellfire and brimstone revival to cities and towns from Florida to New York and from Illinois to Louisiana and, under the cloak of God, systematically manipulated and sexually assaulted adolescent boys and procured victims for other "men of God". Using eyewitness accounts of victims, Mike Echols, author of the bestseller and 5-time Emmy nominated mini-series "I Know My First Name Is Steven", strips bare the world of Pentecostals in the United States today to reveal how, in this unique yet growing Christian sect, impassioned faith and devotion to the "annointed ones" blinded parents to the evil in their midst.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573920517
• ISBN-13: 978-1573920513
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,039,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Victim of Leyva's reviews Echols' book., February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Brother Tony's Boys: The Largest Case of Child Prostitution in U.S. History: The True Story (Hardcover)

I am a survivor of Tony Leyva's crimes and was not mentioned in the book. My experience with him was in the early 70's. I have first hand knowledge of how he operated and can truly say Mr. Echols' report on Leyva is completely thorough and accurate. Relatively few people will work to expose this type of behavior. Echols is to be congratulated. A must-read for parents.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents should know how pedophiles get their children, October 7, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Brother Tony's Boys: The Largest Case of Child Prostitution in U.S. History: The True Story (Hardcover)

I am a police detective who investigatis child abuse. I tell parents all the time how pedophiles get their children to do things of a sexual nature. One of the biggest obsticles we frequently face is getting people to believe someone who is respected in the community would do what the child is accusing him of. This book details how they gain the trust of the parent (s) first and then go for the child. Trust is the primary weapon used by the pedo. Another frequent problem we have is getting people to understand why child victims don't tell when something happens. Mr. Echols did a good job in helping the reader understand that for various reasons children don't always tell right away. Brother Tony's Boys is a must read before you let your children go with a "trusted friend"

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Explicit crimes of a perderast, October 14, 2009

By 

D. Hackborn "and other hackborns" (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brother Tony's Boys: The Largest Case of Child Prostitution in U.S. History: The True Story (Hardcover)

The book gives loads of details going on and on about how Tony seduced boys, and how he and other ministry men sexually abused the boys. Sad how parents defended Tony because they were told not to touch the anointed of God. When a mother comes forward her character is questioned. On and on with loads of sexual abuse details, it can be a little much. After a while I just wanted the book to end.