Preaching to the Crowd: Ruth Warnecki, 25, and her father Michael yesterday preached their message that getting to know a “living Jesus” is the way to salvation before a sizeable crowd along San José's Avenida Central.

Judges, prosecutors, and lawyers from 10 Latin American countries yesterday inaugurated a conference in San José that will focus on penal system reforms, using Japan as an example.

Talk about the Central American Free-Trade
Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) referendum
With writer Alvaro Mata and political scientist William Méndez, 6 p.m., Fundación Ambio, Barrio La California, 100 meters south and 75 meters east of Bagelmen's, Apartamentos La California, 8-A, second floor. Info: 813-8660.

Luis Nubiola in Concert
Afro-Cuban jazz, 9 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro. Info: 253-8933.

Ulibarri-Zúñiga Jazz Quartet Performs
Tico jazz musicians Fernando Ulibarri and Rodolfo Zúñiga are back from their travels in the United States and playing with saxophone player David Fernández and bass player Dale Posey, 8:30 p.m., El Observatorio, Barrio California, San José. Info: 223-0725.

By Blake Schmidt
Tico Times Staff | bschmidt@ticotimes.net

Italian millionaire Matteo Quintavalle went to prison yesterday to serve six months of preventive detention while state prosecutors investigate allegations of fraud, conspiracy, illegal financial intermediation and money laundering against him and six others.

The businessman and his romantic partner Marvin Hernández appeared in court Monday and were both given preventive measures. A judge ordered Hernández to sign in at the court every 15 days and not leave the country, according to prosecutor Alfredo Araya.

Police couldn't find Quintavalle when they raided his home and other properties last week, and an international arrest warrant was issued for the millionaire, who has been accused by 17 U.S. investors of cheating them with unauthorized deposit slips for a nonexistent bank (TT, July 13).

Araya said five of Quintavalle's other partners are being investigated in the case and will be called to appear in court in coming days.

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net

Preaching that organized religion is a sham and people must get to know Jesus personally, a U.S. family drew a crowd of at least 50 yesterday afternoon on San José's Avenida Central.

The Warnecki's are “just a simple family” who are spreading the message that salvation cannot be found in a church, according to literature they handed out to eager passersby. They believe reading the Bible and a “living Jesus” are the keys to being saved, explained Joshua Warnecki, 18, the youngest of five siblings who have been traveling around the world evangelizing with their parents since they were young and are now making their way through Central America.

Ruth, 25, hoisted a long banner reading “You're going to go to hell. Look to Jesus, not the church,” in Spanish and translated her father's words into Spanish while he spoke.

“I beg you to think and not just follow. Ask Jesus, ‘Who are you?' and you'll find the greatest thing in your life,” he said.

Most observers in the crowd The Tico Times spoke with said they liked what they heard.

“It's a good message. There's only one God that exists for me,” said Freddy Hernández, 32. As a Catholic, he was not offended by Warnecki's statement against churches since the evangelizer still exalted God.

“It's good that people hear this message and know that God exists. This is something new here that you don't see a lot,” said Juan David Arroyo, 38, a non-denominational Christian.

Mauricio Blanco, 40, disagreed, saying he found the family's statement “too radical” and “threatening” to people like him who don't believe in Jesus.

The Warneckis plan to travel around Central America and onto South America for “as long as the Lord allows,” Joshua said.

By Blake Schmidt
Tico Times Staff | bschmidt@ticotimes.net