Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. Have a tip we should know? 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? 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. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. 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. 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 arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. 6 min read. "All this goes to show that although you are part of this world, you have accepted a very particular way of life because you are Christian," Snchez-Walsh said. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. 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. / CBS/AP. 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. 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. But she also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue to believe in Garcias innocence. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 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 . Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. 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. 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. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. 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. 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. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. #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. 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. 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. Faithful attend a Santa Cena or Holy Supper service in the La Luz del Mundo or the Light of the World flagship temple in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. 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. 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. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. 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. 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 . Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. They prayed, they talked to journalists, they protested their leaders innocence. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. [12]. One of the perpetrators was Naasn Joaqun Garcia, the third leader of the organization, who was accused of sexually abusing and even trafficking countless young children over many years. Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. 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. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. [emailprotected]. 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. 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. 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. 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. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. Shame on you!". If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. 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. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly committed these crimes between 2015 and 2018 while leading La Luz Del Mundo, an international religious organization headquartered in Mexico with reportedly over one million followers worldwide. While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. 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. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. He initially faced more than 20 charges, but most were dismissed after a plea deal with prosecutors. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. 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. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. 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I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she 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. This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. 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. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. 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Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. 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. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. 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. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. 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 . This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. 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