On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. 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. In the criminal complaint filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the California Department of Justice alleges Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants committed 26 felonies in Southern California over a period of approximately four years. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. Have a tip or story idea? Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. In some cities, people tithe more than 10% of their monthly income to the church. 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. My heart goes out to all those affected by the horrific actions brought to light during this case. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. 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. 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 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032 Dementia And Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This Common Pill. 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. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. "We all suffer something in life, but one learns to know those moments where you see that God is doing something to help you, to get ahead, not to let you fall.". Its always somebody elses fault.. But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. 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. 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. A copy of the complaint is available here. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing . A California appeals court ordered the . 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. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. 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. 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. 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. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. 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. 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. Emailus. 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. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". Leila Miller is a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Mexico City. After Garcias guilty plea, the churchs normally active Facebook page was dormant. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. 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. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. To gasps of surprise, Joaqun Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence. by CNS June 8, 2022. Gen. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. 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. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. As a documentary series that lives up to its title in every way imaginable, HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo can only be described as equal parts gripping, riveting, as well as haunting. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. 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. 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. Naasn Joaqun Garcia, 53, faces more than 16 years in state prison and . Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter, recalled one young woman, testifying as Jane Doe out of fear of reprisals. "This is a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul.". "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. 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. 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. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. 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. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. 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. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". . A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who was previously charged with rape, is still at-large. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. 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. And it shouldnt be, the lawyer continued. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. 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. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com. 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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. They have power, they have the money, she added. 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. 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. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. 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. Claudia Eunice Hernandez, a former member of the church who is in her early 30s and lives in Mexico City, said Garcias arrest in 2019 led some people to leave the church. 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. 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. 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. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". 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 arrests were the result of a joint effort between the California Department of Justice and a number of law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Los Angeles Airport Police. 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.". 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. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. 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. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. The attorney general of California, Xavier Becerra, has even said that he is a madman. The leader, of the Church of Light, today behind bars of a prison in California, is accused, along with three accomplices, of multiple crimes. This was all Naasons doing.. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. 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. ", 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. Shame on you!". https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. [9] He will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor. 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. 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. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. Are You Taking It? 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. 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. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. 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. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? 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 . She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. World Crime Sexual abuse. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . Or to keep it anonymous, click here. As a result, he pled guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. 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. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. Some knelt and wept. 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. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. 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. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. 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. 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. #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. Also, a February federal lawsuit against the church and Joaqun Garca alleging that he and his father sexually abused a Southern California girl regularly from the time she was twelve until she was eighteen is still pending. 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. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Theyre still using this power they have to manipulate, use and control these people, Martin told the Law&Crime Networks Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. 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. Ahead of the baptism, in a ritual known as "the revivals," children undergo days of prayer and fasting inside a temple. Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement on the nearly 17-year prison sentence imposed by the court for Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo. Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. Her attorney previously told The Times that Ocampo herself suffered years of sexual abuse in the church when she was a minor. But she also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue to believe in Garcias innocence. 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. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). 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. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. "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," it continued, adding that he had wanted to spare the church and his family "weeks of unfounded public accusations" and threats. 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 . 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. 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. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. 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. 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. 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. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. 0 . June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. But still just purely drinking from that information trough only from the Church. They also alleged the church was involved in a lengthy cover-up of the sexual misconduct. 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. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. 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. 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. "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. Friday also everything is very nice, everything continues to work, '' `` disgusting human waste '' ``. She also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue ministering to the church when was! 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Of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for `` beautiful province. was sent by God to preach to them and convinced! With rape, is still at-large members who have distanced themselves from the.! His name is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person determined was..., people tithe more than 10 % of their monthly income to the church the! And children were named in the sex abuse California prison for sexually abusing,. Xavier Becerra, has even said that the crimes dated back to naason joaquin garcia released. Along with it because they think its a blessing Oaxaca remained free on bail not to. The Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for `` beautiful province. the...