According to VICE, the 53-year-old was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in June 2019. 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. As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. After Garcias guilty plea, the churchs normally active Facebook page was dormant. 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. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. 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. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. They dont doubt that the servant of God is lying to them or that hes committing a crime against them. Martin, who left the church years earlier, said in an interview with Brian Ross Investigates. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. 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. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. 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. 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. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. 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. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. The bail to be able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of the highest in history. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. 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. list of benue state deputy governors list of benue state deputy governors One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Where Are Naasn Joaqun Garcia's Wife and Kids Now? Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. Kriti Mehrotra December 6, 2022 As a documentary series that lives up to its title in every way imaginable, HBO's 'Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo' can only be described as equal parts gripping, riveting, as well as haunting. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. Gen. [1] Early life [ edit] Todos Los Derechos Reservados 2021 Infobae, Lawyers of the leader of the Light of the World threatened witnesses from the United States and Mexico, I saw a criminal: Naasn Joaqun's assistant told how he lived 30 years with the former leader of La Luz del Mundo, There is already a date for the trial against Naasn Joaqun Garcia: The Light of the World awaits justice for the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. 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. Ocampo requested that Jane Doe number one send her nude photos of herself because the servant of god who is defendant Garcia, would be really happy, said special agent Thomas Donohue in court. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. Had it proceeded, the trial might have offered a rare glimpse into the insular world of La Luz del Mundo Light of the World which boasts more than 5 million members. During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. 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. 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? They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". 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. First published on June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM. 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. 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. 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. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Kellermeyer said his wife who earlier pled guilty was preparing to be the star witness at Garcas trial and was disappointed not to have the opportunity to testifyhaving hoped to reach dedicated church members, like her own parents, still in the church who refuse to believe that Garca is guilty. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. 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 . 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. 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. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. 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. 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.. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". To gasps of surprise, Joaqun Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence. Its always somebody elses fault.. 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. She will be sentenced at a later date. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. 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