Castillo, a recently married woman of 25, told AP the church advises members how "to lead a decent life," in which women may not drink alcohol or go out on frequent dates. If you believe you have been a victim of sexual abuse or have information about incidents of sexual misconduct related to anyone who may be involved in this case, please call (323) 765-2100 or you can file a complaint online at https://oag.ca.gov/LLDM. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Even as a California judge declared their leader a sexual predator, sentencing him to 16 years and eight months for sexual abuse of minors in his congregation, leaders of the Light of the World Church declared their faith in Naasn Joaqun Garca, known as The Apostle of Jesus Christ, to his five million followers. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The other individuals named in the complaint are Alondra Ocampo, Azalea Rangel Melendez, and Susana Medina Oaxaca, all of whom are affiliated with La Luz Del Mundo. #BREAKING: As the result of a multiyear investigation and prosecution led by CalDOJ, megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca has pled guilty to multiple felony counts of sexual assault involving minors. "I just want to tell the Jane Does that the world has heard you," the judge said, according to the Los Angeles Times. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. Martin, a former church member, told the Law&Crime Network how she was then coerced into helping to recruit other young women and participated in the taping of lurid sex scenes involving the teens and Garcia. Moreover, if they denied or hesitated, they were blackmailed by being told how they were defying Gods will. Yet, despite the charges against Naasn, his followers and the La Luz del Mundo continued supporting him and believing his claims of innocence. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Just days before his long-awaited trial was set to start, La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing girls from his congregation, a stunning reversal for a man who followers believe is an apostle appointed by God. A California appeals court ordered the . Are You Taking It? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? 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Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of the La Luz del Mundo, Spanish for The Light of the World, appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court, on June 5, 2019. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. Nearly all closed their eyes. It should be recalled that just on March 15, a 211-page motion was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court by defense attorney Alan Jackson, claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office fabricated incriminating evidence, created reports based on false evidence, erased and concealed exculpatory evidence.. Because his religious registry is against Mexican Law now that he has been sentenced, there is currently a petition to remove his name from both The Light of The World church (iglesia La Luz del Mundo) and the Levitical Fraternity (Fraternidad Levtico) in that country. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. This was all Naasons doing.. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. CBS Los Angeles reportedthe California Department of Justice arrested Joaqun Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. Naasn Merar Joaqun Garca (born on May 7, 1969) is a Mexican religious leader and convicted child molester who is the third leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, succeeding his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, in December 2014. She was provided by Mrs Ocampo, provided whipped cream, strawberries, lingerie, and the other girl would spray the whipped cream and strawberries on each other and then lick them off, said Special Agent Troy Holmes in court. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. Garcia coerced victims into performing sexual acts by telling them that if they went against any of his desires or wishes as the Apostle, that they were going against God, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said at the time of the arrest. Since Joaqun Garca's arrest, La Luz del Mundo's media relations team says it cannot make official statements on his case because litigation is ongoing. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. Jericho, Bethlehem and Nazareth are among the names of roads converging on the white temple that locals call "the cake," for its white tiers that diminish in size as they rise upward. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. The RICO suit names him, the organization called Light of the World, his mother, his wife, his brother, and many of the leaders of the organization. Yet for now, if you simply wish to learn more about those personally near the incumbent Apostle throughout these years his wife and his children weve got the necessary details for you. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The leader of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch is due in a Los Angeles courtroom today to face sentencing following a deal with prosecutors last week in which he agreed to plead guilty to three sex counts involving minors. The jailed leader is the grandson of La Luz del Mundo's founder: Eusebio Joaqun Gonzlez, a member of the military who began preaching in 1926. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Just days before his long-awaited trial was set to start, La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing girls from his congregation, a stunning . They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. Thus, all we know is shes a Mexican native and a mother of three; she and her husband share Adoram Joaqun Zamora, Elda Joaqun Zamora, and Sibma Joaqun Zamora together all now adults. ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co-defendants for alleged human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. Near the end of the call, Joaqun Garca asked his followers to raise their hands and their voices to God and repeat after him: "I promise you, Lord, that whatever the suffering, I will never abandon you.". The church was founded in 1926 by Garcias grandfather, who was succeeded by Garcias father, Samuel Joaquin Flores. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. People who molest children, this is the kind of mentality they have. 0 . Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly committed these crimes between 2015 and 2018 while leading La Luz Del Mundo, an international religious organization headquartered in Mexico with reportedly over one million followers worldwide. Damian Dovarganes / AP The. Its unclear whether the latters work involves him marketing a team or sponsoring them, but we do know he appears perfectly content at the moment. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. SACRAMENTO - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co-defendants for alleged human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. Thats because it charts not just the way the titular Mexican non-traditional Christian Church took advantage of minors for years but also the 2019 apprehension of leader Naasn Joaqun Garcia. 13,512 Alert: Alzheimer's-Like Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This Common Pill 25,161 These Banks Pay Up To 17X The National Average On Your Savings 33,426 Sponsored Ad 8/21/2022, 2:19:28 AM So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. But criminal attorney Fred Thiagarajah,who at various points was involved on both sides of the case, noted the reality waiting for Garcain prison will likely be a stark awakening for the self-described Apostle, if not his followers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. Naasn Joaqun Garcia, 53, faces more than 16 years in state prison and . Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. The California Department of Justice has also fought to protect juvenile victims of trafficking,bringing 54 felony chargesagainst the alleged operators of a statewide sex trafficking ring in 2017. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. In a major set back for the defense of Nasson Joaquin Garcia, his co-defendant, Alondra Ocampo, has pleaded guilty to four felony counts involving the sexual abuse of minors and is now prepared to testify against him at trial in California. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. As per court documents, the complainants alleged he sexually abused one woman and three minors, also raping the woman and another child. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. After La Luz Del Mundo megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years and 8 months in prison, the Law&Crime Network's Brian Ross. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. Garcawho took over as "apostle" after his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, died in 2014had been subjected to a prosecution where evidence was "suppressed, withheld, doctored and altered," the statement said. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing girls in his congregation. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. Naasn Joaqun Garcia -- the leader of La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World) -- was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral. [12]. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. Just days before his long-awaited trial was set to start, La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing girls from his congregation, a stunning. While its leader, Naasn Joaqun Garca, has been idolized by millions of followers as an apostle of God, he just pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges in Los Angeles on June 3. While Naasn maintained he was innocent for several months as he awaited his trial, in a shocking turn of events, he accepted a plea deal just three days before his trial commenced in June 2022. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . "The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family," the church said. Moreover, the eldest Joaqun child has even been quite active in the La Luz del Mundo congregation lately and could potentially be preparing to succeed his father. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com. A trial date has been set for Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of the Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo who is facing a number of sex abuse charges. Have a tip we should know? Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. / CBS/AP. Many lifted their fists. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. For them, hes a saint that does everything well., Renee de la Torre is a researcher in Guadalajara for the Center of Research and Graduate Studies in Social Anthropology and has studied La Luz del Mundo. However, this might merely pertain to his father rather than his wife or kids since neither of them has ever been indicted on such offenses. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. While he maintained his innocence for three years, Garca has . 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The church contended that prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence, and said Joaqun Garca pleaded guilty because he didn't think he could get a fair trial. Despite the vast publicity and lurid charges, Garcia had maintained almost universal support within the church. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. 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