Prosecutors said Garca, who is considered the "apostle" of Jesus by the church's millions of followers, used his position to have sex with girls and young women in the congregation. 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.". Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. Gen. In addition to his prison time, Garcia is expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. It should be reiterated that this religious entity, like its leader, has been surrounded by controversies, investigations and allegations: in December 2020, the Financial Intelligence Unit filed five complaints against it. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. My heart goes out to all those affected by the horrific actions brought to light during this case. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Its always somebody elses fault.. 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. Emailus. Have a tip or story idea? Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". 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. They had once been his most devoted servants. She said she does not think the plea deal will result in a total crisis for the institution.. 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? You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. "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. 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. The grandson of the church's founder, Garca maintained his innocence following his arrest but eventually pleaded guilty in June 2022 to two counts of forcible oral copulation on a minor and one. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. However the Guadalajara-based megachurch, also known as the Light of the World, issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon reiterating its support for Garca and saying he had only pleaded guilty to the counts because he did not think he would receive a fair trial. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. De la Torre said she believes the church will continue to present Garcia as a victim of a conspiracy and that many of its members will keep backing him. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. A copy of the complaint is available here. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. 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. 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. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. And it shouldnt be, the lawyer continued. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! Garcia has been in jail for nearly three years awaiting trial, since state prosecutors charged him with abusing girls who belonged to his Mexico-based megachurch. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. Garcia leads the Light of the World Church, an evangelical-based faith which claims to have five million members in dozens of countries around the world. 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. God has his plan.. by CNS June 8, 2022. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. 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? Her attorney previously told The Times that Ocampo herself suffered years of sexual abuse in the church when she was a minor. [9] He will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. 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. The leader of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to three sex-related counts involving minors. 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. They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. 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. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Some knelt and wept. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. Todays decision demonstrates, as we have always said, that the Apostle is innocent and his innocence will be judicially proven through the course of the trial a Church spokesperson said in a written statement to Brian Ross Investigates. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. [emailprotected]. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. 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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the church's leader, a man considered by congregants an apostle of Jesus Christ, had just been sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison for committing acts of sexual abuse . As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. The latter was the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church (translated to Church of the Living God), a non-trinitarian Christian organization founded in 1926. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? [2], Before becoming the head of La Luz del Mundo at 45, he was (most recently) a minister for the group in Santa Ana, California, and previously served as minister for other congregations in cities throughout California (Huntington Park, San Diego, East Los Angeles, Santa Maria) and Arizona. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. Are You Taking It? Sexual assault is never acceptable. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. It seems clear that many members of the church, founded in Mexico in 1926 and now active in many countries, aren't ready to abandon Joaqun Garca as their "apostle" - the term used for the church's leader. World Crime Sexual abuse. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. In California alone it has about 50 locations. 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. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. 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. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. 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. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Sept. 19, 2022 11:27 AM PT Naasn Joaqun Garca, head of the Mexico-based La Luz del Mundo megachurch, pleaded guilty in June to sexually abusing girls from his congregation and was sentenced to. Illicit enrichment, money laundering, transfers to tax havens and the purchase of luxury goods and services were some of the alerts issued by the unit. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. . Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032 Aug. 21, 202200:24 La Luz del Mundo is a church that originated in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 1950s and now has a presence in dozens of countries, including the United States. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. 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. They have power, they have the money, she added. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. In 2018, Attorney General Becerracharged the operators of Rainbow Bright, a California adult residential and childcare company, with 59 criminal counts for alleged human trafficking and other alleged labor-related violations. His plea deal came after five young womenonce devoted followers of the church founded by Garca's grandfather in Mexico nearly a century agotestified that he had made them his sex slaves. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. 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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. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. They prayed, they talked to journalists, they protested their leaders innocence. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. It is unclear what his guilty admission will mean for the megachurch with international reach, and whether it will force the kind of larger reckoning over abuse and decades-long cover-ups that has swept the Catholic Church. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. Outraged by what they saw as a lenient sentence for La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia, a group is urging other victims to speak out. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. Just on March 21, the Church of the Light of the World demanded Nahson's immediate release, after his defense filed a motion claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office conducted incriminating evidence against him. The religion is "very demanding," said Arlene M. Snchez-Walsh, a professor of religious studies at Azusa Pacific University, a Christian institution near Los Angeles. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). Nearly all closed their eyes. Alma was seemingly always well respected but just not as popular, especially considering her position and the fact theres little to absolutely no information available on her on any public platform. Ocampo pleaded guilty to three felony counts of contact with a minor for the purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration two years ago. , naason joaquin garcia released Joaqun Flores Die 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 in. Have the money, she added '' in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug.,! General, Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon urged Judge Ronald Coen impose! Prayed, they have power, they protested their leaders innocence God him! Be released without money bail in California against Joaqun Garca leads a at. 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