Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. This was all Naasons doing.. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. 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. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly 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. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. While he initially did not enter a plea, he was held at a shocking $50 million bail, generating massive outrage among his followers against the legal authorities. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . 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. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. Held in jail on $90-million bail, Garcia faced charges ranging from human trafficking and rape to forcible oral copulation of a minor and possession of child pornography. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. It accuses Joaqun Garca of conditioning victims, under the guise of religion, to serve him above all else, ultimately resulting in the sexual abuse over the course of several years. The news of the impending plea deal garnered a mixed reaction from a Reddit group that has become a refuge for former church members, some of whom have said they were abused. 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. 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? . 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. She was also part of the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of the Conception boat fire off the Channel Islands. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." He called Garca a sexual predator. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. 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. 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. Additionally, Attorney General Becerra testified before the U.S. Senate to push for the passage of the federal Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which became law in 2018. Former members of the Church stressed that Garcas relatively short sentence as a result of a plea deal with prosecutors means the 53-year-old could be back at the pulpit in 8-10 years. Shame on you!". They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. Ocampo has been held in custody for more than a year since her arrest with Garcia on his private jet at the Los Angeles airport by California law enforcement. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. For some young people, these steps include memorizing songs honoring the apostle, reading the Bible before bed and not marrying someone from outside the church. Have a tip or story idea? When he was arrested, many of the faithful flocked to churches in the denominations hometown of Guadalajara, but also in Los Angeles and other cities. Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. Hence, in September 2022, they filed a detailed civil lawsuit against Naasn for sexually abusing them, alleging other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition to manipulate them. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. 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 copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act on a child who was 15. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. World Crime Sexual abuse. Another poster wrote, In light of this disturbing news, we are calling on ALL the victims who are still out there who have been abused by this sick monster to please come forward., We know there are many, many out there. A copy of the complaint is available here. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. Christopher Kellermeyer, whose wife Alondra Ocampo was charged with being Garcas accomplice by acting as a groomer, said Garcas followers would not be easily persuaded of his guilt. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. This is actually despite the fact he was born as the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores (his predecessor) and Eva Garca Lpez in May 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. 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. 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. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . 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. 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, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on . She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. We also claim so because it was recently reported that Naasns son Adoram acquired a massive mansion in Malibu, a highly affluent coastal community within Los Angeles. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. However, his wife Alma Zamora de Joaqun, with whom hed tied the knot in 1992, reportedly does not enjoy the same status in any of the 50+ countries wherein the church has a presence. They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. 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. Both father and son have been accused of using the churchs young members as sexual servants, of leading lavish lifestyles on the backs of their followers and of intimidating church members into silence and submission. Nearly all closed their eyes. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. Those born in the community are baptized at 14 because, according to the church, that lets them decide whether to reaffirm or leave the faith. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. revocar-registros-religiosos-de-njg-pederasta-confeso, On June 3, 2019, Joaqun Garca was arrested and charged by prosecutors from Los Angeles County with sexual abuse charges involving minors. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Thus, the Church of Light assured that based on the motion submitted it is clear that his constitutional rights have been unjustly violated, putting this as the main reason why he should be released. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. LOS ANGELES (RNS) Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, is facing a new lawsuit filed by five women who allege he sexually abused them while other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition against them. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. We reiterate that his procedural and constitutional rights must remain in force, such as the presumption of innocence and the right to due process, as well as the right to be judged impartially and without bias. the spokesman said. ", In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bonda said: "While it will never undo the harm and trauma he caused as the leader of La Luz del Mundo, this sentence makes it crystal clear that abusersno matter who they arewill be held accountable. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. Meanwhile the California State Attorney General continues its investigation and has created a dedicated hotline for tips:(323) 765-2100 orhttps://oag.ca.gov/LLDM, Have a tip we should know? 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. Naasn was revered among his church community, but things came crashing down around 2019 when he and two of his associates, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, came under the polices radar. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. Where Are Naasn Joaqun Garcia's Wife and Kids Now? The lawsuit includes detailed accounts from the five plaintiffs alleging that they were pressured by Joaqun Garca and his associates into performing for pornographic photo shoots, and were forced to engage in sex acts with him. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. LOS ANGELES (RNS) Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, is facing a new lawsuit filed by five women who allege he sexually abused them while other church members groomed . Some knelt and wept. Another codefendant, Susana Medina Oaxaca, who was Garcias former assistant, pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, Bontas office said. In addition, they accused the La Luz Del Mundo church of sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and gender violence, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. 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. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Like other women in Hermosa Provincia, she wears dresses and skirts that are not form-fitting, eschews makeup and earrings and wears her hair long. She will be sentenced at a later date. 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. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. A lot of people have the expectation that once there was a guilty verdict, whether it be through trial, whether it be through pleading guilty, that loved ones and family members would wake up to the truth. Many news outlets in Mexico featured Garcias guilty plea on their homepages Friday evening, including the online website Animal Politico and newspaper El Universal. 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. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. 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. 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. But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. In other new developments in the pre-trial hearings this week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, citing insufficient evidence, dismissed four counts of extortion and two counts of forcible rape of a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor against Garcia, a move that was declared a victory by the Apostles supporters. Originally facing 36 charges, Garcia at the last minute took a plea deal that called for him to admit to three counts, the state attorney generals office announced Friday: two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. Garcia, he said, abused his authority to take advantage of children, while relying on his underlings to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault., Todays conviction can never undo the harm, Bonta declared, but it will help protect future generations.. His continued hold on his flock was evident recently at the Christian church's main temple in Guadalajara, as thousands gathered to pray for their absent leader during their Holy Supper, the most sacred festivity for La Luz del Mundo. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. I said She was only 14 and you replied I should have brought her to you sooner., In pronouncing his sentence, the judge criticized those who had turned their backs on the victims, saying Shame, shame on you., But none of that seemed to deter his followers and church leaders who claimed the prosecutions evidence was doctored and altered, as they reiterated their support for the man they call their Apostle. A statement from church leaders following the sentencing stated our confidence in him remains intact, comparing his prosecution to a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul.. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan denied parole by California board, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. He was a flight risk, Garcia & # x27 ; s Wife and Now. Which requested the release of its leader through a statement including Susana and Alondra Ocampo was to! Is learned from the cradle published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM waste... Currently at large a statement Aug. 9, 2018, California, in court in Angeles... Be found on our disclaimer page the `` Antichrist news naason joaquin garcia released issued late Friday afternoon garcias lawyers didnt return! Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators Medina Oaxaca and Alondra were... '' the statement said been charged with various offenses home base of the church 's doctrine is learned the... 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