They allegedly were told that if they went against Garcias desires they were going against God. Leila Miller is a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Mexico City. They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. But theyve hit a snag, Randall Emmett, Ambyr Childers settle domestic violence restraining order dispute, California ski resorts brace for an epic weekend of snow, crowds and disruptions, An assault and fatal stabbing in the middle of class at a Santa Rosa high school, With unfounded fraud claims swirling, red California county dumps Dominion voting machines, Man arrested in connection to 7 bombings in Fresno has links to hate group, authorities say, Vote on LAPD transit patrols sparks City Hall debate over safety on Metro system, UCLA, UCSF hospital nurses voice complaints about overcrowding, staffing shortages. The California attorney generals office, which is handling the case, also had accused Garcia of coercing underlings to recruit young girls for him to sexually abuse. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. 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. 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. Naasn Joaqun Garcia, 53, faces more than 16 years in state prison and . 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. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. 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. 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. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. The case against him came as a result of a tip in 2018 to a U.S. Justice Department website that was created to help people report abuse by clergy. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. Agents also testified that Ocampo would take the young girls to Victorias Secret stores to buy lingerie for them to wear as she filmed them for the Apostle.. 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? The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. 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. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. 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. The revival consists of repeating "Glory to Christ" nonstop until the youths are heard speaking in tongues to testify that the Holy Spirit has entered them. 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. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth 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. Shame on you!". Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? They have power, they have the money, she added. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Please enter valid email address to continue. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. Earlier this year, Sochil Martin, who grew up in the Church in southern California, filed a civil lawsuit against Garcia and the church, describing how she had been recruited at the age of nine and became a sex slave for both Garcias fatherthe previous Apostleand then Garcia. And unfortunately, I see a lot of lamentations of family and family members that are out online saying that they feel very sad, he said. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 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.". Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. Yet legions of followers ofNaasn Joaqun Garcain his home base in Mexico remain fervently loyal to him, viewing his imprisonment as a challenge that will strengthen their church, La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World), rather than weaken it. 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. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. 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. 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But still just purely drinking from that information trough only from the Church. The decision by Ocampo followed weeks of testimony by California state agents about her role in delivering young women to Garcia for sexually deviant acts, many of which she recorded on video for him. 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. Emailus. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. list of benue state deputy governors list of benue state deputy governors While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. 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We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. Sochil Martin, a former La Luz del Mundo member who has filed a civil RICO suit against Garcaand LLDM alleging sexual abuse and other crimes, was highly critical of the plea deal, and compared the church to a mafia-type organization that would continue to operate despite Garcas imprisonment. In pre-trial testimony California state agents said the young victims in the case known as Jane Does 1-5 , described Ocampos role as a handmaiden, women who were groomed and were sexually abused themselves before doing the same to other young women in the church. 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. 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. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. 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. In addition to his prison time, Garcia is expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. 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. [2], He continues to be named as Legal Representative of the church in Mexico in spite of having been convicted of child sex crimes. But she also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue to believe in Garcias innocence. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. [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. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Efforts to fight human trafficking have also included taking on labor exploitation. 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 . Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. And NOW is the time to stand up and fight.. [12]. 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. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. Defendants facing state criminal allegations are eligible for bail in most cases, allowing them to await future court dates out of police custody if they have the financial resources to post bail. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. God has his plan.. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. 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. With Naasns grandfather Aaron Joaquin Gonzalez having established La Luz Del Mundo in 1926 and him being a third-generation heir, its honestly no surprise hed gained worldwide notoriety. "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. 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. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. This biographical article about a Mexican religious figure is a stub. 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. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. International Director of the La Luz del Mundo Church, "Naasn Merar Joaqun Garca: El "apstol" del poder", "Es Naasn Joaqun Garca, nuevo lder de La Luz del Mundo", "La Luz del Mundo Church Leader Accused of Sex Crimes", "Leader of La Luz Del Mundo religious group arrested on suspicion of rape, child porn", "Sex abuse charges against La Luz del Mundo leader are the 'tip of the iceberg,' prosecutors say", "La Luz del Mundo church leader pleads guilty to sex abuse charges", "Mexican megachurch leader gets more than 16 years for abuse", "Child rape charges refiled against Mexican megachurch leader", https://www.paudal.com/2022/08/18/the-light-of-the-world-naason-joaquin-is-changed-from-jail-for-this-reason/, "Leader of Mexican Church Is Sentenced to 16 Years for Sex Crimes", "Naasn Joaqun Garca: quin es lder de La Luz del Mundo (biografa)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naasn_Joaqun_Garca&oldid=1135821281. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, White House cybersecurity strategy pivots to regulation, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Rape kits from two women lead to arrest in 1979 murder of one of them, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Mexican megachurch leader gets over 16 years in prison for sexual abuse. "I just want to tell the Jane Does that the world has heard you," the judge said, according to the Los Angeles Times. Judge Ronald Coens harsh view of Garcafollowed hours of emotional and graphic testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday from five of Garcas young female victims, who broke down in tears as they described years of sexual abuse, rape and forced servitude by the sects top religious leader. She pointed to how the church has consistently held that Garcia was innocent and has spent the last few years trying to build a positive image of the institution, claiming its membership has stayed strong. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. 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. 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. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Have a tip or story idea? From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. 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. 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. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. 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. #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. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. 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. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. 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. 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. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on March 15 in the case regarding the Apostle of Jesus . Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. Emailus. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Parents give biblical names to their children and take them to the temple at 40 days old to promise they will guide them to follow their path. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. This was all Naasons doing.. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. Ahead of the baptism, in a ritual known as "the revivals," children undergo days of prayer and fasting inside a temple. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. 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. ", 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. 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