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: #707,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 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.

17 of 19 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"

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelieveably tragic, May 26, 2005

By 

Dancewriter "Writer/Reader" (United States) - See all my reviews

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)

I read this book as a recommendation for parents to be aware of pediophiles and how to spot them. Having children, I was compelled to know how to protect them. Here is a story I will never forget - part of that is indespensible. Worse, I cry for the countless victims of sexual abuse. When you see ( very thoroughly ) in this detailed account, just how far reaching the devistation is, you can only pray for such victims and strive to protect the ones you love and educate every one else!

I couldn't put it down, as the story grew more horrifyingly unbelievable, I kept thinking it couldn't get worse, but it did - for everyone involved.

In the end, I had to search the internet to see where Tony Leyva was today -- and found that he'd died in prison in 2003. I couldn't help but wonder if his victims rejoiced at the news? Yet a man's fate was hopelessly and finally sealed with the more infinite punishment I am sure awaits him.

As for author Mike Echols, that internet search was even more disturbing. He, too, died in 2003. But I won't tell you how, or where, or other circumstances. You can look that up for yourself after you finish the book. See for yourself what his searching, his quest for justice finally led him to.

You'll realize that you can't go anywhere near any and all things pornographic without being affected by it.