Esperianism is an unauthorized offshoot of Scientology founded by Justin Alan Craig, who claims to be the living reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard. While Esperianism incorporates many core Scientology concepts, it presents itself as a refined and expedited version of the original framework, aimed at a new generation within the “Freezone,” a network of independent Scientologists operating outside the official church.
Craig was born on July 9, 1987, a year and half after Hubbard’s death. Between 2006 and 2011, he was convicted of offenses including auto theft, shoplifting, and attempted carjacking. While incarcerated, he was found guilty in 2008 of battering another inmate. In 2011, he received a four-year prison sentence for threatening harm to a public official.
After his release from the California prison system, Craig moved to Washington state, where he became involved in the independent Scientology community. He adopted elements of its symbolism, including tattooing the Scientology infinity symbol on his forehead. By 2018, he began publicly claiming that he was the reincarnated L. Ron Hubbard, supporting this assertion through self-published materials and recorded interviews. He referred to himself as “L. Ron Hubbard 2.0” and in 2023 legally changed his name to “Lafayette Ronald Hubbard.”
When Craig first began attracting attention in online Freezone communities in 2018, he came to the attention of journalist Tony Ortega, who has covered Scientology in detail for decades. Craig agreed to an online chat interview with Ortega during which Craig seemed unaware of key details of Hubbard’s life, such as the nickname by which he called his wife of 33 years. Craig said that he had “no recall whatsoever” of his previous life, and when Ortega asked how he could then know that he had been Hubbard, replied, “Pure knowingness and the sheer raw ability and tack I have with the tech, that only I have ever had. Pretty much sums it up.” The interview grew increasingly acrimonious, with Craig calling Ortega a “piece of shit scumbag” before ending it.
Esperianism, which Craig later renamed “Expedited Scientology,” introduces additional ideas that differ from mainstream Scientology. Craig has stated that the U.S. government and the Central Intelligence Agency were formed or influenced in response to “Operating Thetans” visiting Earth in 1947, and that these institutions have sought to limit his work. He has also connected developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and advances in artificial intelligence to his ongoing spiritual research.
Craig’s movement has drawn criticism from former Scientologists and investigative observers. Some critiques focus on financial practices, noting that Craig has maintained a group of followers through private online communities who provide regular financial support. Critics have also described structural features they associate with high-control groups, including centralized authority and a focus on external opposition.
In October 2021, Craig was arrested in Tennessee at a motel under allegations that included distribution of narcotics such as fentanyl and aggravated assault. While in custody, additional charges were filed related to alleged attacks on jail staff. These developments have contributed to ongoing scrutiny of the movement and its leadership. Since 2021, Craig has remained in the Tennessee state prison system. In 2023, he accepted a plea agreement resulting in a 17-year sentence. He is currently housed at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville, Tennessee, with a sentence scheduled through 2038. He became eligible for parole in May 2025.
Key Sources:
Ortega, T. (2018, April 16). Scientologists, gullible? Would they fall for a felon saying he’s the returned L. Ron Hubbard? The Underground Bunker.
Ortega, T. (2024, June 1). Scientology unbound: The grand jury indictments of L. Ron Hubbard 2.0. The Underground Bunker.
Ortega, T. (2024, June 19). Scientology meltdown: L. Ron Hubbard 2.0 in crisis after indictments publicized. The Underground Bunker.
Ortega, T. (2025, October 9). LRH 2.0 tells “Expedited Scientology” fans he’s mulling 17-year plea deal. The Underground Bunker.