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. Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. We also claim so because it was recently reported that Naasns son Adoram acquired a massive mansion in Malibu, a highly affluent coastal community within Los Angeles. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. Last year, Attorney General Becerrahelped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, Backpage.com, and convicted its CEO. 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. Where Are Naasn Joaqun Garcia's Wife and Kids Now? naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo peeks behind the closed doors of the Mexican Christian megachurch La Luz Del Mundo and sheds light on the rampant sexual abuse faced by several minors by the church leaders. Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. 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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. The jailed leader is the grandson of La Luz del Mundo's founder: Eusebio Joaqun Gonzlez, a member of the military who began preaching in 1926. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. This biographical article about a Mexican religious figure is a stub. 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. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. She said she does not think the plea deal will result in a total crisis for the institution.. 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. 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. However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. Emailus. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . 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. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. [1], Joaqun Garca was born on May 7, 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores and Eva Garca. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. 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. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. 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. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com. 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. I said She was only 14 and you replied I should have brought her to you sooner., In pronouncing his sentence, the judge criticized those who had turned their backs on the victims, saying Shame, shame on you., But none of that seemed to deter his followers and church leaders who claimed the prosecutions evidence was doctored and altered, as they reiterated their support for the man they call their Apostle. A statement from church leaders following the sentencing stated our confidence in him remains intact, comparing his prosecution to a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul.. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. "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. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. 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. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. 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. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. #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. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. [2], He continues to be named as Legal Representative of the church in Mexico in spite of having been convicted of child sex crimes. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. 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. 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. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. 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. 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. World Crime Sexual abuse. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. 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. Former members of the Church stressed that Garcas relatively short sentence as a result of a plea deal with prosecutors means the 53-year-old could be back at the pulpit in 8-10 years. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. 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 . 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 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. 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. Have a tip or story idea? Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. This included allegations of human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. 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.". Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. Many lifted their fists. He was sentenced to more than 16 years after making a plea deal. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. He called Garca a sexual predator. 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. 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. 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. 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. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. 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. 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. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. Moreover, the eldest Joaqun child has even been quite active in the La Luz del Mundo congregation lately and could potentially be preparing to succeed his father. Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. She was provided by Mrs Ocampo, provided whipped cream, strawberries, lingerie, and the other girl would spray the whipped cream and strawberries on each other and then lick them off, said Special Agent Troy Holmes in court. 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. 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. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. Hence, in September 2022, they filed a detailed civil lawsuit against Naasn for sexually abusing them, alleging other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition to manipulate them. 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. Castillo, a recently married woman of 25, told AP the church advises members how "to lead a decent life," in which women may not drink alcohol or go out on frequent dates. 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